Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Alleyne Fitzherbert, 14 February 1783
From: Fitzherbert, Alleyne
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Hotel du Parc Royal Friday Feby. 14th [1783]
Mr Fitz-Herbert presents his Compliments to Dr Franklin & has the honour of transmitting to him herewith a letter which he received Yesterday evening by a Courier from England.

Notation: Fitz-Herbert.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Perret, 14 February 1783
From: Perret, ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Excellence.Nantes ce 14. fevrier 1783.
J’ay l’honneur de Vous envoyer cy joint, les grosses des procedures qui ont etés faites par M M. les officiers de l’amirauté de nantes relativement aux Prises, le tartare, la Kitty; la Sally, l’anteloop, & la Betzy; je Supplie Votre Excellence de Vouloir bien m’en accuser la réception, & elle obligera sensiblement celui qui a l’honneur d’estre avec un profond respect.
Votre éxcellence, Le trés humble & trés obeissent Sérviteur.
Perret

Notation: Perret 14 Fevr. 1783.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Vaughan, Jr., [14 February 1783]
From: Vaughan, Samuel Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

	Friday morning. Hotel de Vauban Rue de Richelieu[February 14, 1783]
Mr Vaughan has the honor to present his respectful comps. to Dr Franklin. Inclosed is a letter from Mr Hodgson, which Mr V received this morning, & forwards early, as he imagines Dr Franklin may wish to answer it by Mr Storer, who sets off tonight at 10 oClock for London.
Respecting News, Mr Vaughan has the pleasure to inform Dr Franklin, that Lord Surry is talked of as Ambassador to America; That the ratifications were not arrived in Town the 8th Inst:, & that the subject was not to be discussed by parliament before they were arrived; And, that by letters from Mr Laurens to Mr Manning, Mr L proposed being in Paris by the 11th: Inst., however the latest letters do not speak of his arrival even in London.

Addressed: A son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin, / Ministre plenipotentiare des Etats Unis &c &c, / a Passy.
Notation: Vauhan


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron de Bissy, 15 February 1783
From: Bissy, Stefano, baron de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Votre Excelance.Bruges en flandre Le 15 fevrier 1783.
Je Benit mille et milles fois Le ciel qui nous donne Cette paix, et je Le Benit dauptems plus de bon Coeur, quelle corone manifiquement vos glorieuses et justes enterprises.
Veulle ausi le just Ciel vous faire vivre Longeus années, pour Le Bonheur et Les delisses de vos chers, braves et interpides patriotes a qui je soite touttes sorte de biens et La gloire de rendre tous les peuples ameriquens, braves, Libres, et unis a eux. … j’ay L’honneur detre par des santimens innepriambles … De votre Excelance Le tres hemble et tres obisent serviteur.
Le GÉNÉRAL STEPHANO Baron DE Bissy:.

P.S. janbras de tout mon coeur et ame Monsieur. franclin fils. …

A son Excelance. Monsieur Le Docteur franclin ambasadeur plen-ypotansier des Etats unis de L’amerique &. &

Notation: Bissi Le Baron de, 15 Fevr. 1783.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand Grand, [15 February 1783]
From: Grand, Rodolphe-Ferdinand
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Saturday night— [February 15, 1783]
Mr Grand presents his respectfull Compliments to Doctor Franklin, and takes the liberty of inclosing his Letters for Mr Morris, with the Sketch of the one, about which Mr Grand had the honour to converse with Doctor Franklin; & which proves so much more necessary that Mr Adams has declined in his usual manner* to Sign the Letter for Holland, which had met the approbation of Doctor Franklin, and of course is kept back—

[Written by Franklin in the margin:] *i.e. rude Manner


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from George William René Macarty, 15 February 1783
From: Macarty, George William René
To: Franklin, Benjamin

MonsieurA Vannes ce 15 fer 1783
Je voudrois étre plus agé pour Sentir le bonheur de L’Independance de mon pays, en partie duë a vos soins, et vous exprimer en mon particulier ma reconnoissance comme tout Bon Américain doit Le faire, j’es pere par La suite pouvoir m’acquitter de ce devoir. Comme j’ai oublié l’adresse de Mon Papa, J’ose vous prier de vouloir bien lui remettre ma lettre, Je vous en aurai bien de l’obligation. Je prie Dieu de vous Conserver ensanté et suis avec respect Monsieur Votre très humble & très obeissant serviteur.
George. William. Rene. Macarty

Addressed: A Son Excellence / Son Excellence le Docteur franklin / Ministre plenipotentiaire des Etats unis / de l’Amérique a son hotel / A Passy
Notation: Macarty 15 Fevr. 1783


Title: Jonathan Williams, Jr., to William Temple Franklin, 15 February 1783
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, William Temple

My dear Billy.Nantes Feb. 15 1783.
The americans here do not understand the 23d Article of the Treaty, & I request you will as soon as may be do me the Favour to explain, whether, By the Canary Islands is meant only the Latitude of those Islands, & thus on a line of Latitude, Ships may in one month be in Safety in any Longitude if not to the Southard of the Canaries; or whether it is meant that the Canary Islands are to be considered as a Point which must not be passed either westward or Southward. You will see that the explanation of this may save a months Time, or on the other Hand prevent Ships running into Danger. I request an immediate answer & am most affectionately my dear Billy ever Yours
J Williams J

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Billy Franklin / chez Son excellence le Docteur Franklin / à Passy / Pres Paris
Note by Franklin: It is the Latitude of the Canary Islands
Notation: Williams, 15. Feby. 1783.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to [American Merchants in France], [after 15 February 1783]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: American Merchants in France

[after February 15, 1783]
By the 22d Article of the Preliminaries of Peace between the Kings of France & Great Britain, signed the 20th of January 1783. it is agreed that all Vessels should be restored that might be taken In the Channel & North Seas 12 Days after the Ratification of the Articles.
Thence as far as the Canaries, whether in the Ocean or Mediterranean, after one Month.
Thence to the Equinoctial after two Months.
Thence in all other Parts of the World after five Months.—
And the Words as far as the Canaries, are understood to mean the Latitude of the Canaries, which appears also by adding the Mediterranean to the Ocean.
B Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from J. Torris & Wante, [before 16 February 1783]
From: Torris, John, & Wante
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur[before February 16, 1783]
La Conclusion heureuse de la Paix nous determinant à faire l’expedition d’un Navire pour Philadelphie afin d’y déboucher les objets considérables que nous avons fait acheter à Morlaix, à Brest, & dans les autres ports de la Bretagne, provenant des diverses prises faites par Les Differents corsaires de notre Sr Torris, & votre Excellence nous ayant precedemment adressé une Circulaire pour recommander La Maison de Mrs. Bache & Shée, nous souhaiterions leur Consigner ce navire & Sa Cargaison, qui sera assez riche, en consequence, nous Supplions Votre Excellence de nous adresser le plûtôt possible quelques mots de recommandation pour Cette maison qu’elle protege, D’autant que nous nous proposons d’entretenir des Liaisons de consideration avec elle: comme il importe à nos Intérêts de hater cette expedition, nous serions inclinés à La faire Sous pavillon americain. Si aux expeditions americaines, que nous demandons à votre Excellence, elle pouvoit y joindre un passeport du Plenipotentiaire de Sa majesté Britannique à Paris: cela nous eviteroit bien des risques, de gros frais que le Pavillon Imperial entraineroit: mais si Votre Excellence trouvoit des difficultés à expedier Sous pavillon Americain, nous pourrions encore plus aisement Le faire sous pavillon francais, pourvu qu’elle put egallement procurer un Passeport Britannique contre toutes hostilités.
Notre sr Torris se rappelle toujours avec gratitude ce qu’il doit à vos bontés pour Lui. Il ose se flatter que ces mêmes bontés sont un titre auprès de votre excellence pour en reclamer la Continuation.
Nous Sommes avec respect De Votre Excellence les très humbles & très obeissants serviteurs
J. Torris & Wante

Notation: Torris & Wante


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Barclay, 16 February 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Barclay, Thomas

SirPassy, Feb. 16. 1783
The within is a Copy of a Resolution of Congress, which I forward to you, lest you should not have receiv’d it by any direct Conveyance.
Your Appointment to this Service gives me great Pleasure, as I am sure your Execution of it will be of great Use to the United States. I hope therefore that as soon as you have expedited the Congress Goods, you will come up to Paris, and enter upon the Business. In the mean time I will endeavour to prepare every thing, so far as may depend on me, for rendering the Work easy to you.
We daily expect from London 100 Passports that have been promis’d us, for American Ships. As soon as they arrive We shall forward a Number to you, to be dispos’d of as you shall judge proper;
With great Esteem I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant
B Franklin
T. Barclay Esqr


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from J. Torris & Wante, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 16 February 1783
From: Torris, John, & Wante,Franklin, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

MonsieurDunkerque Le 16. fevrier 1783.
Nous avons appris par Mrs. Maussallè & Bertrand L’acceuil Obligeant dont Vous les avez honnoré, et la promesse que vous Leur avoit faite de nous addresser un passeport du Nombre des cent que vous attendez de la Cour de Londres, avec une Lettre de Recommandation pour la maison de Messrs. Bache & Shée à Philadelphie, la multitude d’Armement qui Se fait Tant dans nos ports qu’en Angleterre nous détermine à presser L’Expédition de Notre Brigantin: que nous nommons le franklin. Il a Recu Son Chargement et nous n’attendrons pour le faire partir que L’arrivée de Vôtre passe-port. Nous osons vous prier de nous L’addresser Sans perte de Tems, parce-que nous avons envue une seconde expédition aussi Intéréssante mais qui dépend de la Célérité de la première, et nous prendrons encore la confiance de Reclamer un Nouveau passe-port pour le Second armement que nous projettons. Nous vous prions de Laisser en Blanc dans Votre passeport le nom du Capitaine parce que S’il faut absolument que nous armions Sous Pavillon du congrez nous Serons obligé de faire un nouveau choix.
Nous sommes avec un profond Respect.
De Vôtre Excellence Les Très humbles & Très obeïssants Serviteurs
J: Torris. & Wante
Mr. franklin.

Endorsed: Make a Letter of Recomn. to Messrs. Bache & Shea, and send a Passport. It should be at the Office by 12 oClock tomorrow.

Notation: J. Torris & Wante Dunkerque 16 Fevrier 1783


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric Dumas, 17 February 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric

Dear SirPassy Feb. 17. 1783.
It is a long time since I have had the Pleasure of hearing from you. I hope however that you and yours continue Well.
The Bearers, Mr. President Wheelock and his Brother go to Holland on a Publick spirited Design, which you will find recommended by many eminent Persons in America.

I beg leave to request for these Gentlemen your civilities and best Counsels, as they will be entire Strangers in your Country.
With great Esteem, I am ever, Dear Sir your faithful humble Servant.
B. Franklin.
M. Dumas.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Herman Heyman’s Sons, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 17 February 1783
From: Sons, Herman Heyman’s,Franklin, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir!Bremen the 17. feb. 1783.
It is with the greatest Satisfaction, that we Observed by the Publick papers the Declaration of Independence from Great Brittain to the United States, a Situation which we Have heartily wished to the latter for many Years past, and by which means our Country, will be now abel to enter in the most frindly & advantageous Alliance with the same; to convince the United States from our wishes to accept the first Opportunity to enter in Connection with them, we purchased a Vessel and made an Expedition of the products of our Country by the same, in the latter end of last year, and such is now quite compleat, so that it will sail in about 3 Weeks, Our partners in this Expedition are Mr. Henry Talla & M Arnold Delius, the latter has taken the Liberty to write to you the 7 Inst. to which beg leave to refer ourselves, he is going along with the Cargo in the Rank as Supper Cargo, but afterwards, at first makes some stay in Nord America, to establish, if possible an uninterrupted traide between the United States and our place, which will be carried on under the Firm of Heymans Talla & Delius; Mr. Delius has mentioned to you allready that our first intention has been to send the Vessel to St. Thomas to sell the part of her Cargo, which was consisting of provisions, and to take an Opportunity to go with the Remainding to Philadelphia or Boston, but now the Declaration of Independency and the preliminares of peace being signed from great Brittain, made a material Alteration in the Destination of the Vessel, and we are determined to send it now direct to Nord America. We conceive that our Reception, in a Country which never had any direct Dealing with our part of the World might at first be somewhat Cool, and trade not be carried on in such a Spirit & Confidence as Merchand, which have been already in Connection before. We should therefore be infinitly Obliged to your Excelency to favour us with some Letters of Introduction & recommendation as well to the first houses in the most principal traiding places of the United States, as likewise to the Congress or Regency of the same, it would be against Delicacy, to say you much of the Security of our House, but we may say without vanity, that it is of the first Rank of our place, so the two other interested houses, above mentioned, enjoy likewise the first Credit. May we Still take the Liberty to beg of you the favour to address yourself by Mess: Giardot Haller & C: Mess. Cottin fils & Jauge at Paris, or Mess. fizeaux Grand & Comp. & Mess. Hope & Comp. & Mess. Luden & Comp in Amsterdam, and you’ll get convinced, that you introduce people to your good Country, which honesty & good Character, as well as their Security intitles them, to recive the best reception in the United States, We formerly recived at our house alone every year 5 or 6 Cargoes of Rice & 3 of Tobacco as the produce of Nord America by way of England, and our port at least Imported of the first 20 and of the Latter about 15 Cargoes in all.
You’ll excuse our Liberty to trouble you with the present but the Assurance of your Patrotism and uninterrupted Zeal for your Country makes us flatter ourselves, that you’ill take such in the light, that our Sincere Wishes and our only Views are, to make both our Country become in mutual Advantageous and the most amicabel Connections. We are convinced that it lays in your power to promote such, and to procure us and our City all such benefices or Emoluments, which are granted to other powers; may we therefore request from you these assistences and that you’ill favour us with such Letters as necessary to fullfill our most earnest Wishes, in particular that to the Congress, that we may recive their protection, and enjoy all the Benefice, which they grant to other Nations.
We have the honour to remain with the most Sincerest Regard Sir! Yr. most Obedient, & devoted humble Servants
Herman Heymans Sons

Endorsed: The Inhabitants of N. A. are accustomed to treat Strangers with Hospitality and Kindness, and a Recommendation to the Government to protect them is neither necessary nor usual. Enclose a Letter to Friends who will give Mr Delius any Advice that as a Stranger he may stand in need of [written in margin: Mr Bache / Mr Williams]
Notation: Herman Heymans Sons Bremen 17th. Febry. 1783


Title: Alleyne Fitzherbert to the American Peace Commissioners, 18 February 1783
From: Fitzherbert, Alleyne
To: American Peace Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Adams, John,Jay, John,Laurens, Henry

Gentlemen,Paris February 18th 1783.
I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a packet containing one hundred passports for American Vessels which I have this moment received by a Courier from England.
I take this opportunity of acquainting you that a proclamation was issued out in the King’s Name on the 14th Instant, making known the cessation of hostilities which has been agreed upon between the several belligerent powers, and declaring farther that the several epochas at which the said armistice is to commence between His Majesty and the United States of North America are to be computed from the third day of this Instant February, being the day on which the Ratifications of the Preliminaries were exchanged between His Majesty and The Most Christian King. I must add that His Majesty was induced to take this step under the firm & just expectation that you, Gentlemen will correspond to it in your parts, by adopting the same measure reciprocally in the name of the States Your Masters.
I have the honour to be with great Regard and Esteem, Gentlemen, Your most obedient and most humble Servant
Alleyne Fitz-Herbert
J. Adams, B. Franklin, & J. Jay Esqrs &c &c &cTo J. Adams, B. Franklin and J. Jay Esqrs Plenipotentiaries of the United States of North America

Notation: Mr. Fitzherbert 18t. Feby. 1783.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Christopher Baldwin, 18 February 1783
From: Baldwin, Christopher
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Clapham Common 18 Febry 1783
Look my dear Sir at the place from whence this letter is dated— have you forgot it? I am sure you have not.—have you forgot the many pleasant hours you have passed here? No, you have not. Have you forgot your throwing oil on the Pond near me, and instantly smoothing the troubled Water—impossible! But a far, infinitely far greater object rises before me! Tis you my dear Sir who have troubled the mighty Ocean!—tis you who have raised billow upon billow & called into action, Kings, Princes & Heros!—& who after engaging the attention of every individual in Europe and America, have again poured the oil of Peace on the troubled Wave, and Stiled the mighty Storm!
God of his infinite mercy grant it may tend to the happyness of all our fellow creatures in every part of the World!—for narrow indeed are the ideas of those, whose views are confined to particular districts—little, very little, are they intitled to the name of Philosopher.
I write this in the room in which we have often sat & enjoyed ourselves & our friends, and in the moment in which I am writing, in pops Mrs. Baldwin and says—my dear to whom are you writing?— I smile and say—to your friend Dr. Franklyn—O! pray make my best compliments to him, tell him I long to see him again & hope it will be soon—tell him that in spite of politics, I have shewn his Picture which he sent me to all our friends, at all times & boasted of his acquaintance—thus much for a favorite of yours—and no sooner is she gone, than in comes my Son from Town, and he also asks to whom I am writing, I tell him to you—when he says I am very glad of it, for I have a good deal to say to you as I have brought in my pocket a letter I have just received from Mr. Van Moorsel, in which he mentions to me a matter that I should be exceedingly happy to oblige him in. Here I must tell you that my Son for some time past, has had considerable commercial connections with Mr. Van Moorsel, & has procured to the House of Theodore Van Moorsel & Co at Ostend, West India consignments to the amount of 7 or 8000 hhds. Mr. Van Moorsel is the Cheif in the house, & his partner is a most worthy Gentleman of large fortune. Mr. Van Moorsel & my Son have a great regard for each other— I have seen Mr. Van Moorsel and he is one of the most amiable men I ever met with. His House at Antwerp and Ostend, is in high repute, and they have a very great capital, and what my Son is very anxious to have me mention to you, is, that Mr. Van Moorsel, is desirous of being appointed Consul at Ostend & Antwerp for the American States. If this matter lies with you, you’l highly oblige us all, by naming Mr. Van Moorsel to that Office.—if not with you, but must come from Congress, do my dear Sir favor him with your recommendation, for be assured it will be impossible to find a Gentn. more highly qualified in every respect than he is. If we are to have the pleasure of seeing you here again, and it was with a view to ask you that question that I took up my pen—do come by way of Antwerp, & there, go directly to Mrs. Van Moorsel, you’l find her the most lovely of women and trust me, she will take all the care of you that Mrs. Baldwin would gladly do. Tho I am sure it is needless, yet allow me to assure you our Kindest wishes attend you and that I am Dear Sir Your very sincere friend & humble Servant
Chrr. Baldwin

Addressed: a Son Excellance / Monsr. / Monsr: B. Franklyn / Plassey / Paris


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph-Etienne Bertier, 18 February 1783
From: Bertier, Joseph-Etienne
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsegneurà Paris à st. Honoré le 18 fevrier 1783
Je prends trop d’interet a vôtre victoire complète sur les ennemis des insurgens, victoire de laquelle vous êtes de ma connoissance le principal auteur, pour ne pas vous en marquer ma joye. J’ay vu le commencement, la continuation, et la fin de cette guerre par votre sagesse; et l’on peut dire que vous êtes l’auteur d’un peuple nouveau. Je remercie le Segneur de s’être servi de votre canal pour cette grande oeuvre.
Je n’ose pas envoyer à un grand homme occupé à de si grandes choses un ouvrage que je viens de donner, c’est l’histoire des premiers tems du monde et des commencemens des hommes prouvée par l’accord de la Physique avec la Génèse. Si cependant vous avez quelques momens à perdre et que vous me la demandássiés dans une réponse, je seray bien honoré de vous l’envoyer. J’attens votre réponse avec impatience, et suis avec un très profond respect Monsegneur de votre excellence le très humble et très obeissant serviteur
Bertierprêtre de l’orat. [oratoire]


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Reichsfreiherr von Weinbrenner, 19 February 1783
From: Weinbrenner, Joseph Paul Reichsfreiherr von
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Excellence!Vienne le 19. Fevrier 1783.
La Liberté du commerce des états unis de l’Amerique étant fondée, les sujets de notre cour ont aussi l’envie, de tenter un commerce droit avec ces Provinces heureusses et abondantes en plusieurs Articles pour notre bésoin, et il ne leurs ÿ manque que la connoissance des maisons de toute la solidité, auxquelles ils se pourroient confier.
A ce sujet je prends la liberté, de prier votre Excellence, de me communiquer quelques Adresses des maisons solides à Boston, Philadelphie, et nouvel york. J’en serai infiniment obligé, et je me protesterai toute ma vie d’être avec la plus parfaite Réconnoissance Excellence! votre très-humble et très-obeïsst. Serviteur
Jh V Weinbrenner
Mon Adresse:A Monsieur Joseph de Veinbrenner, conseiller du commerce de sa Majesté Imperiale Royale / â Vienne / en Autriche.

Notation: Veinbrenner 19 Juillet 1783.


Title: The American Peace Commissioners: Declaration of the Cessation of Arms, 20 February 1783
From: American Peace Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Adams, John,Jay, John,Laurens, Henry
To:

[February 20, 1783]
By the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America for making Peace with Great Britain:

A Declaration
of the Cessation of Arms, as well by Sea, as Land, agreed upon between His Majesty the King of Great Britain and the United States of America.
Whereas Preliminary Articles, were Signed, at Paris, on the thirtieth Day of November last, between the Plenipotentiaries of his Said Majesty the King of Great Britain, and of the Said States, to be inserted in, and to constitute the Treaty of Peace, to be concluded, between his Said Majesty and the Said United States, when Terms of Peace Should be agreed upon between his Said Majesty, and his most Christian Majesty: And Whereas Preliminaries for restoring Peace, between his Said Majesty the King of Great Britain, and his most Christian Majesty, were Signed at Versailles, on the twentieth Day of January last, by the respective Ministers of their said Majesties: And Whereas Preliminaries for restoring Peace, between his said Majesty the King of Great Britain and his Majesty the King of Spain, were also Signed at Versailles on the Twentieth Day of January last, by their respective Ministers: and Whereas, for putting an End to the Calamity of War, as Soon and as far as possible, it hath been agreed, between the King of Great Britain, his most Christian Majesty, the King of Spain, the States General of the United Provinces, and the United States of America as follows, that is to Say.
That such Vessells and Effects, as should be taken in the Channel, and in the North Seas, after the Space of Twelve Days, to be computed, from the Ratification of the said Preliminary Articles, Should be restored on all Sides; That the Term should be one Month from the Channel and the North Seas as far as the Canary Islands, inclusively, whether in the Ocean or the Mediterranean; Two Months from the Said Canary Islands, as far as the Equinoctial Line or Equator, and lastly five Months, in all other Parts of the World, without any Exception, or any other more particular Description of Time or Place.
And Whereas the Ratifications of the said Preliminary Articles, between his said Majesty, the King of Great Britain, and his most Christian Majesty, in due Form were exchanged by their Ministers, on the third day of this instant February, from which Day the Several Terms abovementioned, of Twelve Days, of one Month of two Months and of five Months, are to be computed, relative to all British and American Vessells and Effects.
Now therefore, We, the Ministers Plenipotentiary, from the United States of America, for making Peace with Great Britain do notify to the People and Citizens of the Said United States of America, that Hostilities on their Part, against his Britannic Majesty, both by Sea and Land, are to cease, at the Expiration of the Terms herein before Specified therefor, and which Terms are to be computed, from the third day of February instant. And We do, in the name and by the Authority of the Said United States, accordingly warn and enjoin all their Officers and Citizens, to forbear all Acts of Hostility, whatever, either by Land or by Sea, against his Said Majesty, the King of Great Britain, or his Subjects, under the Penalty of incurring the highest Displeasure of the Said United States.
Given at Paris the Twentieth Day of February, in the year of our Lord, one Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty Three.
John Adams [seal]B Franklin [seal]John Jay [seal]


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Amelia Barry, 21 February 1783
From: Barry, Amelia
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Dear Sir,Pisa 21st. Feb. 1783
The important contest between America and Great Britain being finally decided, I cannot deny myself the pleasure of making you my sincere felicitation upon it. Condemned as I am to humble fortunes, I am aware that there is an impropriety in my concerning myself with the affairs of states and empires; but while I invade not the Politician’s province, and only in the shades of retirement, breathe wishes for the happiness of persons most dear to me, and success to a glorious cause, and exult when they are effected, I hope that the events on which they depended being of a Public nature, gives not culpability to sentiments, which, had they had a reference to Private events, might have been deemed virtuous.— You my dear Sir, are most immediately concerned in the decision of the late contest, & must feel a very superior pleasure in finding that it has terminated in the Independance of America.— Your decline of life cannot now fail to be calm and serene: may you long be a witness of the happy fruits of your labours and may the new Empire be, thro’ a series of ages, the envied seats of virtue, science, and grandeur. At times I look back to the scenes of my childhood, & feel a desire arise in my breast to revisit them once more;—but the severity of my fortune keeps me here an exile, nor even admits of my return to England.
I return you Sir, my best thanks for your having condescended to honor my recommendation of Doctor Burrows with notice. Miss Burrows wrote me that they had dined with you; how I envy them the happiness of having conversed with you! Miss Burrows said you disapproved of my remaining in Italy, and mentioned your having hinted to her father an intention to give your Banker instructions to remit me a sum of money, to enable me to conduct my little helpless family to England. This is near 4 months ago; and as I know you never say what you do not mean, I am apprehensive that you have put your kind intention into execution, & that the letter has miscarried, in which case, you must deem my silence an act of flagrant ingratitude— Yet do not my dear Sir, imagine that my motive in this address, is to put a tax upon your friendship. I value it too much to risque the loss of it by appearing mean enough to sollicit pecuniary favors:—to poverty my mind is tolerably subdued; all my cares now centre in my children, and were I but enabled to give them tolerable educations, (as I have nothing else to bestow) and to find that their progress in virtue [torn: had] responded to the culture of their minds, all my wishes would be accomplisht.
I hear that it is expected you will soon return to England— May Heaven direct your steps, and grant you health & happiness. When you write to my dear Mrs. Bache, do me the favor to present my affecate. comps. to her, and ever believe me with the sincerest veneration and respect, Most Dear Sir Your faithful, obliged & Obedt. Servant
A. Barry.

Be pleased to direct to me sulla Piazza San Nicola, Pisa.
  His Excelly. B. Franklin Esqr.

Addressed: His Excelly. B. Franklin Esqr. / Ambassador, & Plenepotentiary / from the United-States, / Paris.
Endorsed: A Barry 21 Feb. 83 / Feb. 21. 83


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Triol, Roux & Cie., 21 February 1783
From: Triol, Roux & Cie.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur,à Marseille le 21e. février 1783.
Le 12e. Avril 1781, vous eútes la bonté de nous écrire pour nous assurer que vous enverriez au Congrès copie de notre lettre du 4e. du même mois, & que vous le prieriez d’en prendre le contenu en considération. Depuis lors, nous attendions à ce sujet quelques nouvelles de Mr. Oster, Vice Consul de France à Philadelphie, qui avoit été chargé de nos effets par le Capitaine de notre navire, mais jusqu’ici nous n’en avons reçú aucune. La circonstance actuelle d’une heureuse paix, qui fixe par vos soins le sort de l’Amérique Angloise, nous fait prendre la liberté de vous mettre de nouveau sous les yeux l’objet de notre demande.
Au mois de septembre 1778, le Capitaine Guillaume Reboul, commandant notre navire la Louise Marie, arriva dans la rivière de Bedfort, après avoir passé pendant la nuit au milieu d’une escadre Angloise, & il y vendit une partie de sa cargaison à Mr. Rossel, pour les besoins de l’armée de Providence; le papier du Congrès étoit alors au pair de l’argent. Quelque tems après, il se rendit à Boston où il finit sa vente, mais quand il voulût prendre des lettres sur la France contre le papier du Congrès, pour le retour de ses fonds, personne ne voulût lui en fournir qu’à deux ou trois pour un: il n’osa se soumettre à une si forte perte, & il cherchoit à employer ses fonds de quelque autre manière, lorsque le Congrès suspendit deux émissions de son papier, dont notre Capitaine se trouvoit pour cinquante six mille six cens soixante quatre Dollars; il fût obligé de les remettre au Congrès, qui ne lui rendit de nouveau papier en échange que huit mois après, époque à laquelle il étoit tellement en discrédit, qu’il ne vit d’autre parti à prendre que celui de le déposer au Congrès pour trois ans, à l’intérêt de six pour cent par an. Les Capitaines qui firent leur vente lors de la remise du papier, tirerent de leurs cargaisons des sommes immenses; mais comme nous ne sommes pas dans la classe de ceux qui ont fait d’aussi grands bénéfices, nous espérons que le Congrès voudra bien avoir égard à l’époque à laquelle notre Capitaine a vendu, & à la détention d’une partie de ses fonds, qui l’a tenu en suspends pendant huit mois; de sorte que nous ne serons pas dans le cas de supporter des réductions s’il s’en faisoit. Nous osons espérer, Monsieur, de votre justice, que vous voudrez bien nous faire la grace de présenter nos raisons au Congrès sous leur vrai point de vuë, pour que nous ne soyons pas confondus avec ceux qui ont vendu leurs cargaisons à vingt ou trente pour un, & que nous soyons payés de notre capital & des intérêts, comme nous avons lieu de l’attendre de son équité. Cela ne nous dédommagera pas des pertes que nous & nos intéressés avons souffertes par la prise de nombre d’autres batimens que nous avions armés pour la même destination.
Nous avons l’honneur d’être avec respect, Monsieur Vos très humbles & très obéïssants Serviteurs
Triol Roux & Ce.

Notation: Triol Roux & Co Marseille 21. Fevr. 1783.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Patience Wright, 22 February 1783
From: Wright, Patience
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My dear honourable Friend—London Feb 22th 1783
I This moment made up my Packet for america Sent by a old faithful Servant of Doct Franklin Sons: from New Jersey of govonr Franklins— This man is Sent off to america from his master who is now Lodging in Suffolk Street no 16 where he Sd. govonor has undertaken to pettition in aid on behalf of all the tories together with the famous of that Partie— His late disopintm. in aplying to Parliment together with his Convection of Bad Politicks: his health is bad looks old and Excites in me the old feelings of Friendship the death of his Wife has added to his other Losses &c.

His Servent now Sets out to leve the Place and his master the news of my own Son Jos Wright being Cast away nere Boston from Nantz in the Ship Argo .. Stranded &c.
Those unhapy tidings makes me feal the Parent, and Joyne in Comforting them—may god whom I trust Make your heart to do and Contunue to do good and Keep you a Blessing to mankind is the Pray [torn: er of] your faithful old friend and very humble much obl’gd
Patience Wright

I hope to See you in Phila this Sumr as Human Nature Seems Changd I no longer Prophesie But only say time will bring all my Romantick Ideas Round and Convince my Friend I am no Mad but Speak the old Quaker truths—
—My daughter and husband is Well my health good my Spirits Rise and feal Rightous Indignation at the parliment of England. They adopt the faults of george and Charlott. And as they pertake of ther Sins they will also have their Plagues I hope you will visit London the great Joy will by Expresd mentiond heretofore and a publick Entry into London; not only 2 hundred but 2 thousand to attend you. Major Labilliere is Ready with his Christian Armie 7 thousand whom have not bow’d down to george or Beal my Kind love to your grand Son I hope his Experienc and Wisdom will make him a great Minister We all Wait for the Season to Set out for america all the wise and prudent are going Depend on the great fall of Publick Credit oh the Bank must go before Pharoh will go to hanovor my daughter Joyne me in love and Esteem I hope you have health Pleas to mention me to those who Enquire after P Wright

Addressed: His / Excellency / Doctr. Franklin / Passey / Paris
Notation: Wright Feby. 22 1783—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Franklin Bache, 25 February 1783
From: Bache, Benjamin Franklin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My dear Grand PappaGeneva 25, Feb 1783
Full of Impatience to recieve a letter from you in order to know the state of your health & whether you consent to my having a wathch as I Desir’d by my Last, I write yo the present Letter, to ask again that Favour and repeat to you that I have not reciev’d the Parcel of Books mention’d in your Letter of the 7 Jan. 1783. I have receiv’d Lately a letter from Mrs Montgomery to wish I have not yet ans werd having had a sore hand. I have heard also By madame Cramer that you think of going to London as I should have a very great Desire of nowing those Contries, & being estremely fund of Voyagin and above all other Reason being full of Impatience to see you. I ask of You as a particular favour to permit Me to go with You. You will lay under a great obligation Your Most Dutiful & Affectionate Grandson
B. Franin. Bache

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin Ministre / Plenipotentiaire des Etats unis / D’Amerique auprès de [sa] Majesté / très chretienne. / á Passy Près Paris.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Beaujeu, 25 February 1783
From: Beaujeu, ——, comte de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Illustre Ministre.à champlitte, en franche comtè,ce 25. fevrier, 1783.
Daignés agrèer la foible production d’une mûse Séptuagenaire! J’avoüe mon insufisance pour L’èxpréssion du Sentiment Relatif à une matière aussi Riche qu’intèrèssante; mais, mon admiration pour le heros de l’amerique, et ma vènèration pour votre Excèllence, ÿ suplèront à ce que J’éspère.
J’ai encore Monsieur, une grace éssentielle a vous dèmander; c’èst de faire passer la Rèspéctable médaille cÿ jointte, à notre immortel général Monsieur de Waginsthon. Ses glorieux èxploits, ont tant de raport, avec ceux du cèlébre henry quatre (le plus Brâve et le meilleur de nos Roÿs) que, j’aime a me pèrsuader que ce paralèle lui Sera aussi agrèable que L’Effigie de ce grand prince …
Et Vous, Monsieur? qui, à juste titre, mèritès celuy du moderne Sullÿ, je vous ferois, de grand cœur L’hommage de Son portrait, si J’avois pû me le procurer, pour faire le pendant de celuy du grand henry? je supplie, instament Votre Excèllence, de me tenir, un peû compté, de ma bonne volontè: peut ètre que, mes Ulterieures Rechérches seront plus fructueuses. Mes Vœux seroient à leur comble, si Vos Excèllences daignaient Se resouvenir de moi, lors de la distribution de vos Rèspèctables Bustes, et médailles, qui doivent Eterniser, Monsieur, vos profonds travaux politiques, et les victoires accumulées du vrai Mars des Etats unis …

Je n’ai point l’honneur d’ètre connu de vous Monsieur; Mais, Monsieur le comte de Vérgennes qui m’honnore de Sa protéction et de Ses Bontés, poura certifier à Votre Excéllence, que j’ai quelques droits aux votres, par mes voeux Redoublès pour le bien de la cause commune c’est dans ces invariables sentimens que je Suis avec bien du Réspèct, Monsieur, de Votre Excéllence, Le très humble et très obeissant serviteur,
Le cte. DE Beaujeuancien chambellan et capitaine aux gardesdu feû Empereur charles Sept &c.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 25 February 1783
From: Hodgson, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

This letter reports what proved to be a fatal setback to American hopes that Britain would adopt liberal trade policies toward the United States or would include such provisions in a revised final peace treaty. In the early morning hours of February 22, after an all-night debate, the House of Commons voted to approve the provisional peace treaties but censured Shelburne for the concessions they contained. Having lost a vote on the peace terms four days earlier, Shelburne saw his position as hopeless. He submitted his resignation as First Lord of the Treasury on February 24, though it would be another month before the king accepted it.
Shelburne’s defeat was the result of a coalition between North and Fox, former political opponents but both rivals of Shelburne. The king refused to accept Fox as a member of any new cabinet. When the North-Fox alliance remained firm, he sought to form a government without them, but William Pitt the Younger and others refused to make the attempt. It was not until the beginning of April that a new government was formed under the Duke of Portland, with North and Fox as its secretaries of state.

Dear SirLondon 25 feby 1783
I rece’d your favor of the 2d per Major White & Credit your Acc’t per Bill on Mr Vaughan Two hundred & Sixty pounds, per Contra I debit you for Ten Guineas paid Mrs Hewson & £7..17.6 for the Bills of 180 Livres Tournois. I have got a pass for my Ship the Mary but they made me pay £23 for it at our Secretary of State Office; a most shamefull Imposition in my Mind.
You express a doubt in your Letter, respecting its being adviseable to send a Vessell out untill some Treaty of Commerce shou’d be settled, it gives me much Concern how to govern myself—for in point of Fact such arrangments had been made with respect to the purchase of goods, jointly betwixt Mr. S. Vaughan & myself that, if we do not send the Ship we shall be saddled with a large parcell of goods, with which we shall not Know what to do & if we delay the sending them the first Blush of the Business, our whole Plan will be frustrated; We flatterred ourselves we might, under the Sanction of the Treaty att all Events be secure from any thing like Confiscation or Seizure, & we further had reason to hope if any Indulgencies were shewn we were as much entituled to them as any other Persons, as our Cargo will go consigned to Mr Vaughan’s Son either to Baltimore or Philadelphia as may be judged best, the Vessell calling for Instructions at Lewes in the Delaware.
There is no doubt but our Parliament will do away every Hostile Act—& permit American Vessells to come in (without any Treaty) they have allready admitted two Vessells to an Entry from Nantucket; When Particular Stipulations are settled by Treaty, they do away the general Rule, but it is by no Means necessary there shou’d be a Treaty for the Subjects of different States to Trade with each other— If I understand att all what is a first Principle in the Law of Nations this is one— That the Subjects, of every State in Amity with any State may navigate to & from such State without hindrance or Molestation Conforming themselves to the general Laws of the State with which they intend to Trade. This is however only my Idea of things I may be wrong & shall be much obliged to you for your Advice & direction, we cannot undo what we have done but if you apprehend any Danger, we can send the Vessell to New York; Perhaps Sr you may without Impropriety write a Letter to some of the Leaders in Congress, Stating our Case & recommending us to their Friendship & Assistance, If you can do this Mr Vaughan & myself will both esteem ourselves much obliged to you & pray be so Kind as favor me with an Answer the very first Opportunity after you receive this for we were in hopes our Ship woud be ready to Sail in a fortnight.
We have had a strange Revolution in the Political World within the last week, Mr Fox & the Discontented part of the late Ld R’ms Friends having made a Coalition with Ld North, the combined Army has in two Engagements totally routed the Shelburnites, & this day I understand the New Arrangement in Administration is to be made, I do not, in my own Judgment think this will be the worse for America—the Inns are as much for Peace as the Outs, & perhaps it may, upon the whole, have a Tendency to make a more permanent Establishment, Lord S— had very few personal Friends, & his whole Manner was such, that every Man who had access to him, soon Saw, he had nothing like Friendship in his Composition. I am with the greatest Respect Dr sr your Obliged Hble Servant
William Hodgson


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Penn, Jr., 25 February 1783
From: Penn, Richard, Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Dear Sir.Cavendish Square Feb. 25th. 1783
I hope you continue to enjoy perfect good health, it woud give me great pleasure to hear from you & have that confirm’d to me, I myself was not quite Well for a few days before I left Paris which prevented me from calling upon you to take leave of you, but your Grandson was with me & I desir’d him to apologize for me, which I dare say he did in a proper manner.
There was a matter that I cou’d have wish’d to have open’d my mind to you upon but I had not an Opportunity. It is not imprabble but that the Congress of the United States may think it expedient to fix upon some Order or Mark of distinction for those who they may think have deserv’d well of them. Now if such an Honour coud be extended to One an Alien & who has not the happiness of having been born amongst them I shou’d be Proud to wear it, & Altho’ I have not been actually employ’d in their Service either Civil or Military, yet I have always thought with the greatest satisfaction of the Confidence they plac’d in me in making me the Bearer of that admirable Petition which was intended to have prevented the distresses & Calamities that since that time have befall’n both Countries. If the Order of distinction cou’d in any shape be merited, by the Dictates of the heart & the feelings of an Individual ever anxious for their wellfare & Success I think I might with propriety put in some claims to it, but give me leave to rest the matter entirely with you, if you think my Request improper you will of course think no more of it, if otherwise I beg your protection & Friendship in speaking the good word for me, I flatter myself that when you come to England my House in Cavendish Square will not be the last that you will come to, for altho’ you undoubtedly have a great many Friends amongst the Literati & Great Men of this Country, perhaps there is not one of them who is a greater Admirer of your Abilities & who wish’s more for your happiness & Prosperity than does My Dear Sir Your sincere Friend
Richd. Penn

Mrs. Masters, my Wife & her Sister join me in desiring to be kindly remember’d by you


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 25 February 1783
From: Vaughan, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My dearest sir,London, Feby 25, 1783.
The return of Mr White enables me to send you some of the articles you asked of me to procure. You will find the list inclosed, and in my next I will try to send you a bill of my disbursements, both now & formerly.— Mr Franklin’s glasses will be forwarded by Mr Storer, or earlier, if an opportunity offers. They would have gone now by Mr White, had I received a longer notice of his intentions of returning to Paris.

You now see verified all that I said about binding down England to so hard a peace. It has put many good people into ill humor, and it has given a thousand pretexts to the bad people among us. But the overthrow of parties, is nothing to the overthrow of systems relative to English commerce, which was intended to be placed on a footing that would have been an example to all mankind, and probably have restored England to her pinnacle again. America I am sure we should have had as much of, as could be expected, upon the proposed systems of liberality. But However the ministry shall finally arrange itself, I cannot but hope on all hands, that we shall be more or less cured of our fighting & monopolizing notions, and look to an American’s friendship.— The boldness of my friend’s conduct therefore has done infinite service to men’s minds, as his conversation has done to the royal mind.— You will take pleasure in hearing that he talked of making England a free port, for which he said we were fitted by nature, capital, love of enterprize, marine, connections, & position between the old & new world & the north & south of Europe; and that those who were best circumstanced for trade, could not but be gainers by having trade open. Indeed I may now say to you with courage, that I have scarcely seen or heard any thing of what has passed already, or was meant to take place hereafter, that I do not approve and applaud, as conducted upon grand principles. In short, I think that at last England will mend, not her parties indeed, but the proceedings of those who remain in office, whoever they may be.
The public are not yet instructed in the system of their peace; but pains are taking for this purpose by a respectable friend of yours. And more too will be said in the house. But the ministry were confounded, all but one or two men, at the junction of parties against them; for had the crisis of the peace been missed for an attack, opposition as politicians knew that no other would offer, and the ministry would become fixed & even popular.— I do not however find that the man of the people has gained much in the public estimation, for his union with Lord North, or his conduct about the peace.
To you I need not point out any of the absurdities of the public proceedings; but you will now see who has been your friend, and upon what principles; for he might have made closer terms with you, had he thought either the measure or manner wise.— I am much satisfied at having heard him say, that he repented of nothing of all that he had done, that he would do it all over again, and that he sees that he alone had the resolution to go through it— God be praised that it is done, & that no one asks to have it undone.
They are hurt here to think of your apprehensions about coming to London, which reflect on those of your friends who have been in power, and suppose them wanting in manliness & every thing else.— I am preparing your apartments, and would not make over my guests to the first man in the world. And I say that you are coming likewise, and that you are coming to honor one who of all others upon earth will most taste it.— Nothing can be more snug than the place where we live. Your son & you will both have your apartments, and a range of three sitting rooms besides to yourselves, besides the one we have for the family. Music will be going forwards in the house, and the child we have got is too well educated & tempered to spoil it by its cries. As to our company, it will be your own; and my wife bids me add, that she is prepared to love you as much as I do.
Before I close, I have the favor to ask you of a single short letter in behalf of Mr Joshua Grigby Junr:, Mr Bird’s cousin; who though of a good family, county connections, with £500 per annum of his own, & eldest son to parents who have £2000 per annm, is going out to settle in America. His spirit I dare say will strike you, and I think he demands it of us to render his first entrance into the country easy. He seems to have good sense, and has certainly a good character and is a gentleman & one who has seen much of considerable company; but in the midst of it all, he can be struck with a country life & simple manners.— A second, but single letter, I have to request in favor of Mr John Darby, a relation of my own, & of the Admiral of that name. He still remains in a very capital business, but I have little doubt that he will prolong the visit he is going to make to America into a final settlement, as his manners very much lead him to a natural country life. He is an Irishman, and has very wide connections in the North of Ireland. He is honorable, and much beloved by his family & friends, of whom he has an infinite number in all quarters. You have seen him at our house upon a Sunday evening, when my father went to Jamaica, with Mrs Knowles, Dr: Caulder, & others, and were very merry with him.— These two letters, I beg to have as soon as possible, or at least Mr Grigby’s.

I am doubtful whether Johnson will have prepared the things I gave orders for, & procured your philosophical books; but I shall be very angry, if he does not, which I hope will excuse me to you.
Your friends are all well. Will you believe the power of party, when I tell you that Jack Lee execrates the peace, and talks of our fine fleet &c &c? You do not wonder at his former opposition, after hearing this, or think the worse of my friend for not having had his friendship.
With my perpetual & affectionate regards to your son, I am my dearest sir, Yours ever most devotedly, gratefully, & affectionately,
Benjn: Vaughan

I shall write your son the first opportunity I learn of.
Some of Johnson’s things are arrived. The debates are sewn together out of news-papers by some gazzeteer, in the pamphlet you have sent you.
Some people say in London, that you are now abusing England as much as during the war. I tell them that if you do abuse, it is I believe more as a philosopher & speculator, than as a politician: At least that this was your turn when I saw you.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Clemens August Haxthausen, 26 February 1783
From: Haxthausen, August, baron de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

EccellenceHildesheim le 26 feby 1783
Permettez votre Eccellence qu’un inconnu etrencher [étranger] vous Présenter ses hommages en occasion du glorieux paix que votre Eccellencé avez fait pour gloirs immortell du serenissime Republique des Etats unies en Amerique, et de votre Eccellencé; et quoi jai eu toujour ete un admirateur du heroisme qu’enflame le coeur de votre Eccellence et des touts ses braves Compatriotes, je ne me pouver plus dispensé en attendant le tres honorable paix de faire une inscription latin qu’on pouver mettre a la statu du Roÿ de france, que le très Illustre Congres avez resolu d’erricher [d’ériger] a Philadelff, que j’ai l’honneur de summetre du jugement de votre Eccéllence et de me nommer avec le plus profonde respect du monde Eccellence votre tres humble et tres obeisent serviteur
August Baron d’HaxthausenTrefoncier d’Hildesheim proche d’Hannover


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Saint-Martin, 27 February 1783
From: Saint-Martin, ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieura tonnein sur garonne poste Restante le 27e.fevrie 1783 a vertueil En albret.
Les affaire venant de changer de face a levenement De la paix, je L’honneur de vous demander de quelle façon Les officier attaché a larmée des treize proveinse unie de lamerique seront traité, j’i est esté Employé En soixante seise Comme Lieutenant Collonel Est n’est discontinué mon servisse que depuis pres de deux mois que je suis arrivé En france pour Retablir ma santé, quoique je Ne sois pas mieux ayant Besoin d’aller aux eau de Barege pour des Blesseure que j’ai Reçu a une affaire que nous eume a white plain, je Repartirois tout de suite si vous me le Conseillé, En attandant Cette Grace de vous, je L’honneur dettre avec Respects Monsieur Votre tres humble est tres obeissant serviteur
ST Martin

Notation: St. Martin 27 Fevr. 1783.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Johann Valentin Embser, 28 February 1783
From: Embser, Johann Valentin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur,aux Deux-Ponts ce 28 febrier 1783.
La paix glorieuse, que l’Amérique vient de conclurre, doit remplir de joye tout honnête homme, par la preuve éclatante, que par le courage & la fermeté, appuyés de la sagesse & de la prudence, la vertu triomphe des ennemis les plus puissans. Je joins mes voeux les plus ardens à ceux de l’Amérique pour les jours précieux de l’Illustre Franklin, dont le nom brillera dans les siècles les plus reculés, pour avoir crée une grande nation, & pour avoir rendu ses droits naturels à l’autre hémisphère— Mais je m’égare. Ce n’est pas à moi, à begayer mes foibles hommages à ce Grand Homme; & je me tais—
La qualité, en la quelle il me convient de parler à Votre Excellence, est celle d’éditeur des anciens auteurs classiques. Et j’ose Lui demander, si ces éditions, destinées à l’usage de la jeunesse, puissent en quelque manière mériter Son approbation? & en ce cas, auquel de Ses Agens en France je pourrois m’addresser, pour en faciliter la vente en Amérique? Les troubles de la guerre étant passés, il ne dépend que du jugement, que Votre Excellence portera de nos auteurs, pour les faire accueillir dans l’autre monde.
Mille voeux sincères pour la santé & la prospérité d’un Homme, qui a tant contribué au lustre de ce siècle, & au bien de l’humanité!
J’ai l’honneur d’être avec les plus profonds respects, de Votre Excellence le très humble et très obéissant Serviteur
EmbserProfesseur au College Ducal

Addressed: A Son Excellence, / Monsieur de Franklin / Ministre Plénipotentiaire des Etâts / Unis de l’Amérique près Sa Majesté / très Chrêtienne / à / Passy
Notation: Embser 28 Fevr. 1783


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pownall, 28 February 1783
From: Pownall, Thomas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Old FriendRichmond Surrey Feb 28:83
I write this to congratulate You on the Establishment of your Country As A Ful & Sovereign Power taking it’s equall Station amongst the Powers of this World.
I congratulate You in particular as chosen by Providence to be a principal Instrument of this Great Revolution: a Revolution that has stronger marks of Divine interposition superceeding the ordinary course of human affaires, than any other Event which this world hath experienced. Even where God is supposed to work miracles, He uses human means; & it hath pleased him to make You the Means of this Blessing to America; And, under her establishment in political freedom, of a Blessing to all Men who are worthy of it & willing to partake of it: of One also who looks up to it, & does not think himself the less worthy of it for having been a stranger and Exile in his native land, which he can scarce call his Country— Duas esse censeo patrias (saieth Cicero) Unam Naturæ, Alteram Civitatis: et eam Patriam ducimus ubi nati, et Illam quâ excepti sumus: Sed necesse est caritate eam præstare in quâ Reipublicæ Nomen & universæ Civitatis est.
You expressed a fear that You should not see peace in your daies— You may now say— “Lett now thy Servant, O Lord, depart in Peace for he hath seen thy Salvation”. Solon a real Patriot & Great Philosopher like yourself used to say That it is not the Man who Lives but who dyes in happiness [torn: who is(?)] to be acconate a happy Man. If ever any Man did [torn: you(?)] shall dye happy. If You my Old Friend, “O Lett my last end by like his.” You see that the contemplation of this wonderfull Event has thrown my mind into a religious frame & that my words take their form from it: Yet I express but in part what I feel.
I am embarked for another voyage to the Azores I shall write a second Memorial & address it to the Sovereigns of America. I use none of the Gothick Titles of modern Europe, or the Servile ones of Asia. As though I was addressing Myself to the Repub: of Rome. Senatui Populoq Romano I address myself to the United States & Citizens of America I wish by this to express the most marked & profound Reverence to A Sovereignty of Free-Citizens. If the title of Address which I use is wrong or if there is any Other of Form yet adopted, sett me right— I should be sorry to be wrong in this Peace Offering in these first Fruits.
I have taken the Liberty to enclosed to You two Letters for my Friends Mr Bowdoin & Dr Cooper with a power of Attorney to them to make for me a Deed of Gift to Harvard College of 500 Acres of Land which I have (& were not confiscated) in Pownalborough in the State Messachusetts-bay. I have not directed that which is for Mr Bowdoin as I should be sorry to be wrong in the mode of Address. Will you be so good as to direct it or to tell the Bearer of this how to do it who will direct it.
I continue under the idea of my schem of making the tour of America, I cannot but think that [torn: if(?)] there ever was an Object worth the travelling to see & worthy the contemplation of a Philosopher it is that in which he may see the Beginnings of a great Empire at its foundation.
Our Politicians quarrelling, in their Scramble, with the Peace and House of Commons declaring themselves unsatisfyed with the Line which divides the two Empires, seem like a Caution sett by Providence openly before the Eyes of the States of America to mark to them the danger of Dissension & the Necessity of Union. Where there is a Danger that the internal principle of Attraction is not sufficient to hold the Parts united in their Center. It is happy for that System that the external Compellant Principle shou’d act to the same end.
I hope the Crisis of pain under which you was suffering is gone off & that you are in good health to enjoy the happiness which you must feel. May God bless you is the Wish & prayer of Your Old Friend
T Pownall

P:S: I am this day made happy by having received & hung up an excellent Portrait of You My old friend—Copied from that which West did for You—
To His Excelly B Franklin Esqr Minister Plenipo: of the United States of America &c. &c &c &c—

Notation: Pownall Feby. 22 1783.


Title: Answers to “The Claim of the American Loyalists,” [during or after February 1783]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

In the latter part of February, 1783, William Franklin and the other Loyalist representatives who had submitted a petition to Parliament at the beginning of the month published a pamphlet entitled The Case and Claim of the American Loyalists Impartially Stated and Considered. The first section, “The Case of the American Loyalists,” reviewed the royal proclamations issued during the war and described the Loyalists’ dutiful responses. The second section, “The Claim of the American Loyalists,” argued that Great Britain was legally and morally obligated to compensate them for their losses, and that British citizens had to share their burden.
The present manuscript, undated and incomplete, appears to be the start of a response to the “Claim.” The two answers Franklin drafted follow directly from the two sentences that form that section’s second paragraph, which launches a 22-page argument. Franklin was on the verge of composing a third answer when he seems to have abandoned the exercise. No other versions of this project survive, nor have any references to it been located among his own papers, the papers of his contemporaries, or in the press. He did compose another kind of counter-argument to the Loyalists’ claims in the form of an apologue, published immediately below. In that piece, the objections he expresses here are delivered as a speech so persuasive that the claims were summarily rejected.

[during or after February, 1783]

Question 1.
Answer.
Undoubtedly. And when the Chief of any Civil Society, instead of affording that Protection would injure a Part of that Society, and Engages by artful Promises another Part of the Society to assist in destroying that Part, both the Chief and the Partisans so engaged depart from their Duty.

  Question 2.
Answer.
Certainly. And therefore if the Chief of a Civil Society shall resolve the Ruin of a Part of that Society, it is the Duty of every Individual to bear his Proportion of the “Expences, Burthens and Sacrifices” necessary for the common Protection. And whoever to avoid bearing that Proportion, and in Expectation of Advantages promised to him, deserts his Fellow-Citizens & joins the Chief in the Attempts against them, departs from his Duty. The Society owes him nothing but Punishment. He has in high Gaming wickedly & foolishly stak’d his own Estate against the Estate of his Neighbour, which he hop’d to win; but has been unsuccessful; and the Society are under no Obligation to repair his Losses.—

  Question 3.
Answer.—


Title: “Apologue,” [during or after February 1783]
From: Franklin, Benjamin,Franklin, Benjamin
To:

When William Temple Franklin published this piece (for which no manuscript survives), he placed it among the undated bagatelles, noting only that it was “written at the period of, and in allusion to, the claims of the American Royalists on the British Government.” Broadly speaking, that period lasted many years. Because the central drama of the fable takes place in the aftermath of a peace treaty, when a “council of the beasts” was considering whether or not to grant the demands of the loyal “mongrels,” we believe that it was probably written between February, 1783, when the board of American Loyalists petitioned Parliament and published a pamphlet to gain public support, and the following July, when Parliament responded by passing a compensation act appointing a commission to investigate the cases of all Loyalists who submitted claims. Moreover, the focal point of this apologue—the speech delivered by the horse—echoes Franklin’s argument in his answers to the Loyalists’ pamphlet, the preceding document.
In 1787, when a Scottish friend challenged Franklin’s views on the Loyalist question, the doctor underscored his explanation by sending a copy of this apologue. By that time, his views had softened to some degree. He expressed sympathy for the “distressed Exiles,” allowing that he was glad that they were receiving some compensation. “It was clearly incumbent on the King to indemnify those he had seduc’d by his Proclamations,” Franklin wrote. “But it seems not so clearly consistent with the Wisdom of Parliament to resolve doing it for him. If some mad King hereafter should think fit, in a Freak, to make War upon his Subjects in Scotland, or upon those of England, by the Help of Scotland and Ireland, (as the Stewarts did) may he not encourage Followers by the Precedent of these Parliamentary Gratuities, and thus set his Subjects to cutting one another’s Throats, first with the Hope of Sharing in Confiscations, and then with that of Compensation in case of Disappointment? The Council of Brutes in the old Fable were aware of this. Lest that Fable may perhaps not have fallen in your Way, I enclose a Copy of it.”

  [during or after February, 1783]
  APOLOGUE.
Lyon, king of a certain forest, had among his subjects a body of faithful dogs, in principle and affection strongly attached to his person and government, but through whose assistance he had extended his dominions, and had become the terror of his enemies.
Lyon, however, influenced by evil counsellors, took an aversion to the dogs, condemned them unheard, and ordered his tygers, leopards, and panthers to attack and destroy them.
The dogs petitioned humbly, but their petitions were rejected haughtily; and they were forced to defend themselves, which they did with bravery.
A few among them, of a mongrel race, derived from a mixture with wolves and foxes, corrupted by royal promises of great rewards, deserted the honest dogs and joined their enemies.
The dogs were finally victorious: a treaty of peace was made, in which Lyon acknowledged them to be free, and disclaimed all future authority over them.

The mongrels not being permitted to return among them, claimed of the royalists the reward that had been promised.
A council of the beasts was held to consider their demand.
The wolves and the foxes agreed unanimously that the demand was just, that royal promises ought to be kept, and that every loyal subject should contribute freely to enable his majesty to fulfil them.
The horse alone, with a boldness and freedom that became the nobleness of his nature, delivered a contrary opinion.
“The king,” said he, “has been misled, by bad ministers, to war unjustly upon his faithful subjects. Royal promises, when made to encourage us to act for the public good, should indeed be honorably acquitted; but, if to encourage us to betray and destroy each other, they are wicked and void from the beginning. The advisers of such promises, and those who murdered in consequence of them, instead of being recompensed should be severely punished. Consider how greatly our common strength is already diminished by our loss of the dogs. If you enable the king to reward those fratricides, you will establish a precedent that may justify a future tyrant in making like promises, and every example of such an unnatural brute rewarded, will give them additional weight. Horses and bulls, as well as dogs, may thus be divided against their own kind, and civil wars produced at pleasure, till we are so weakened that neither liberty nor safety are any longer to be found in the forest, and nothing remains but abject submission to the will of a despot, who may devour us as he pleases.”
The council had sense enough to resolve,—That the demand be rejected.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Caroline (Charlotte)-Bertrande Chapelle de Jumilhac-Cubjac Bertin, [after 1 March 1783]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Bertin, Caroline (Charlotte)-Bertrande Chapelle de Jumilhac-Cubjac

[after March 1, 1783]
Mr Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Madame Bertine, and acquaints her that he long since gave the Recommendatory Letter and Passport desired, to the Portuguese Ambassador, who had before demanded the same thing: and that the Letter receiv’d thro’ her hands from M. le Baron de Jumilhac shall be duly attended to. He begs leave to assure M. Bertin of his sincere Attachement, and his Readiness to do upon her single Recommendation any thing that may be in his Power for her Friends
To be translated.—


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Philip Mazzei, [2 March 1783]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Mazzei, Philip

Passy, Sunday [March 2, 1783]
Mr Franklin presents his Compliments to M. Mazzei and acquaints him that some unforeseen Business will prevent his being at Versailles on Tuesday; He thinks too that there will be no Court, it being Mardi-gras.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Nicolas-Toussaint Le Moyne, dit Des Essarts, 2 March 1783
From: Des Essarts, Nicolas-Toussaint Le Moyne
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieurparis ce 2. mars 1783./.
Je vous supplie D’aggréer Le Volume que j’ai L’honneur De vous Envoyer. Il Renferme une Cause qui Doit vous interresser, celle Du paratonnerre De st. omer. Tous ceux qui sont capables De sentir Le prix Des Bienfaits Du Genie, Vous Doivent De la reconnoissance. J’ai saisi avec plaisir L’occasion De vous offrir L’hommage De La mienne. Ce sera une jouissance Delicieuse pour moi si vous L’aggreés; & si vous Eprouvés quelqu’interêt en parcourant mon ouvrage, ce sera La Recompense La plus flatteuse que je puisse obtenir De mon travail.
Je suis avec Respect Monsieur Votre trés humble & trés obeissant serviteur
Des Essartsavocat, membre de plusieurs academiesrue dauphine hotel de mouy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-André Gargaz, 2 March 1783
From: Gargaz, Pierre André
To: Franklin, Benjamin

MonseigneurA Theze ce 2 mars 1783.
L’aprobation que vous donates, l’anée derniere, a mon projet de Paix perpetuéle, me persuade réelement que vous avez travaillé beaucoup, et trez utilement, pour faire faire la Paix dont on a signé les preliminaires a Londres et a Versailles (selon que j’ai apris par le numero 9 de la Gazete d’avignon) et que vous voudrez bien encore prendre la peine de travailler pour faire adopter ladite Paix perpetuéle.
Plusieurs Pretres françois de l’Eglize Romaine (parmi lesquels se trouve un Eveque d’ici de ces cantons) auxquel j’ai presenté mondit Projet de Paix, trouvent fort mal que j’aie done le titre de Lieutenants de l’Etre supreme aux souverains, parce, disent ils, que ce titre n’est dû qu’au Pape; et que j’aie proposé d’unir tous les souverains sans exception d’aucun, pas meme des Turcs.
Je prends la liberté, Monseigneur, de vous faire cete observation, afin que vous preniez les mesures necessaires, pour que quelqu’un de ces Messieurs, les Pretres Romain, ne vous empechent de reussir a l’etablissement de ladite Paix.

Je crains, Monseigneur, de vous importuner, mais l’ardent desir que j’ai d’etre rehabilité (en consideration de l’honeur et des douceurs de la víe que cela me procureroit infaliblement) est cause que je vous demande, très respectueusement, la grace, Monseigneur, de m’obtenir du Roi, des Lettres de rehabilitation pour etre remis dans le meme Etat que j’etois avant l’arret de 1761 mentioné dans le certificat de Probité ci humblement joint.
L’Eté dernier Mr. le Comte de Vergenes secretaire d’Etat, estima que mondit Projet de Paix pouvoit etre imprimé, je lui en presentai ensuite un exemplaire. Si vous jugiez a propos, Monseigneur, de lui en rafraichir la memoire, et lui parler desdites Letres de Rehabilitation, pour l’auteur dudit Projet, peut etre qu’il vous eviteroit la peine de les demander (en les demandant lui meme) au Roi ou au Garde des sceaux.
Enfin, Monseigneur, pardonez moi s’il vous plait la peine que je vous done, quand ce ne seroit que cele de lire cete longue Letre. Si vous ne jugez pas a propos, par quele raison que ce puisse etre, de m’obtenir lesdites Letres de Rehabilitation, je vous prie de me renvoier le certificat ci inclus. Mon adresse est, a Monsieur Gargaz, a Theze par sisteron en Provence./.
Monseigneur Permetez, je vous en suplíe, que j’insiste a vous demander cete grace avec toute l’instance que votre bonté peut me permetre./.
Gargaz.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Nicolas Richard and Other Composers of Verse, 2 March 1783
From: Richard, Nicolas,Richard, Nicolas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Just as the Treaty of Alliance had inspired an outpouring of tributes in verse to Franklin and his fellow commissioners, so too the signing of the preliminary peace was the occasion for a profusion of couplets and stanzas honoring Franklin and the many other French and American heroes of the war. Franklin was sent poems in both manuscript and printed form. In the letter published below, Richard encloses the printed version of his ode as well as six handwritten stanzas that the royal censor had suppressed.
On January 22 the abbé Pierre Duviquet observes that to celebrate the peace between America and England, “c’est Célebrer Votre Ouvrage.” In the enclosed verse he hopes to put Franklin’s name alongside those of Louis XVI and Vergennes.
On February 12 the comte de Bussy-Dagoneau writes Franklin from the château de Pierre-en-Cize, a prison near Lyon. He recalls the verse he sent Franklin four years earlier foretelling America’s success. Now he sends an ode on the peace in which Franklin’s name is placed with those whom all nations respect. Because Franklin does not know him, he attaches a précis of his situation: he is 47 years old, the last male of his line, forgotten by his mother, and embarrassed and betrayed by his wife. He has lost everything but is dear to those who do not persecute him; he is accused but guilty of nothing, and trusts in the justice of the king and his ministers.
Pierre-Maurice Saunier, writing from Paris on March 17, likens the names of Franklin, Washington, Adams, and Laurens to Brutus, Cato, Cicero, and “all the great Republicans of antiquity.” He encloses an ode inspired by the return of peace.
On April 6 the abbé Coquillot, prior of l’Epinay, sends Franklin his newly published Couplets sur la paix along with his veneration.
Philippe de Saint-Mars, écuyer, also sends an ode on the peace in a letter of April 15 from Mantes. He apologizes for the liberty he takes in writing, but since his ode mentions Franklin, custom requires that he send him a copy before it is made public. He adds in a postscript that, because he understands that Franklin does not care about honorary titles, he has left off those that by rights are due him. The enclosed manuscript poem praises the American code of laws as the best way to guarantee to the nascent republic the freedom won by “Waghinston” and Franklin, with the generous support of France.
Finally, we note one of the hundreds of pamphlets (some of them verses) that Franklin acquired in France. This one—Pericula Poëtica: Munus Amicis ([Holland], 1783)—seems to have been hand-delivered by the author, the Dutch poet Jacob Henrik (Hendrik) Hoeufft, who signed it and inscribed on the verso of the half-title a 12-line dedication to Franklin in Latin verse. The dedication praises him as the ornament of the age, who, like Nestor, is venerable, wise in counsel, and eloquent.

Monsieur,au Collège de lisieux ce 2. mars 1783.
C’eut été pour moi une Satisfaction bien douce de pouvoir vous presenter mon ode Sur la paix. Cétoit dans l’espérance de jouir de Cet honneur, que, malgré une indisposition causée par de longues veilles, j’ai fait le voyage de Passy. J’avois encore envie de vous communiquer quelques Strophes que le Censeur de mon ouvrage m’a fait Supprimer, comme trop hardies, Selon lui; mais qui, au jugement de plusieurs Sçavants à qui j’en ai fait part, ne Sont pourtant que dans la plus èxacte vérité. Je vous les envoye cy-jointes; et je laisse à votre éxpérience à décider Si j’ai été emporté trop loin par mon enthousiasme et mon admiration pour un peuple dont votre prudence à Si heureusement défendu les droits et rétabli la liberté. Dans le Supplément que je vous envoye, Monsieur, j’ai cru, pour ne point choquer votre modestie, devoir omettre une Strophe qui vous regarde personnellement. Mais en même tems j’ai cru pouvoir la joindre aux autres dans la distribution que j’en ai faite aux gens d’esprit. La Supprimer entièrement, c’eut été manquer à ce que je dois au témoignage de ma Conscience. Puisse ce foible hommage, que je rends à votre mérite vous prouver avec qu’elle éstime et qu’elle vénération je suis, Monsieur, Votre trés humble et trés Obéissant Serviteur
RichardEtud. en philosophie

P.S. Comme je Suis à la dernière année de mes études, je prends la liberté de Réclamer votre protection dans le cas ou vous pourriez me faire avoir quelque place, soit d’educateur, soit de sécrétaire. Mais je désirerois, autant qu’il Seroit possible, avoir un emploi qui me laissât quelques moments libres pour m’occuper des belles-lettres qui sont ma passion favorite, et aux qu’elles je me livrerois sans restriction, si le défaut de fortune ne me mettoit dans la nécessité de m’attacher à d’autres objets, et de Sacrifier mes gouts à mes besoins. Des témoignages avantageux de la part des Supérieurs d’un Collège où je Suis depuis près de dix ans en qualité de boursier, et conséquemment où je n’ai pu me maintenir que par une Conduite irréprochable; des Succès plus qu’ordinaires dans le Cours de mes études; et de l’ardeur pour le travail: voila, Monsieur, les Seuls titres que je puisse faire valoir, et les Seuls aussi qui puissent vous interresser./.

  au lieu de la Strophe commençant par ces mots la paix,
  l’aimable paix &c. je continuois ainsi:
D’un Empire nouveau les colonnes naissantes
ont enfin soulevé ces chaines flétrissantes
que forgeoit des Tyrans la sourde ambition.
O douce liberté, viens rompre les entraves
de cent peuples èsclaves
sous le joug odieux des enfants d’Albion.
  Oui, ces fers trop tendus se relachent, se brisent,
et du poids de leur chute écrasent et détruisent
le Thrône qu’élévoit un maitre redouté.
Tel un Chêne abattu sous les coups de la foudre
Voit Ses rameaux en poudre
couvrir de leurs dèbris le sol qui l’a porté.
  Peuple Roi, peuple ésclave; ainsi dans ton délire
ivre du fol espoir d’un chimérique empire
Tu Prètendois regner sur ces nouveaux Climats:
mais en vain franchissant le vaste sein de l’onde
à la moitié du monde
Tes vaisseaux apportoient des fers ou le trépas.
  Il est des dieux vengeurs, dont la lente justice
de fleurs couvre souvent les bords du prècipice.
Dans tes hardis desseins leur faveur t’a trompé:
par un cruel retour, renversant ta fortune
tu les vois de Neptune
briser entre tes mains le Trident usurpé.
  Assez et trop longtems le Sceptre Britannique
Sous l’orgueil oppresseur d’une loi Tyrannique
à fait gémir les flots de l’ocean Surpris.
Va, tu n’entendras plus Amphytrite plaintive

de son onde captive
déplorer en tremblant l’injurieux mépris.
  Aux rives de Boston, la fiére indépendance
à marqué dès-long-tems l’ecueil de ta Puissance.
Quitte de tes projets l’espoir audacieux;
s’il est vrai que des mers jadis tu fus l’arbitre
de Ce superbe titre
dépose pour toujours le faste ambitieux.
  Partez, riches vaisseaux &c.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Jacques Bachelier, with William Temple Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 3 March 1783
From: Bachelier, Jean-Jacques,Franklin, William Temple
To: Franklin, Benjamin

MonsieurParis 3. mars 1783
Il y a longtems que je désire vous faire mon compliment sur la paix qui vient d’etre Signée entre L’Europe Et L’amerique, J’ai même a ce Sujet des observations qui peuvent vous intéresser. Comme Made. Bachelier désire autant que moy, vous faire Son compliment, nous nous proposons de vous demander a diner le jour qui vous conviendra le mieux de Vendredy ou de samedy prochain.
J’attends L’honneur de votre réponse et suis avec Respect Monsieur Votre très humble et très obeissant Serviteur
BachelierDirecteur de l’Ecole Royale De Dessin rue des Cordeliers.

Notation in William Temple Franklin’s hand: M. Franklin est bien faché que des Affaires et des Engagements l’empechent de recevoir a Diner Vendredy ou samedy Mr. et Me Bachellier.
Il a l’honneur de leur proposer Dimanche ou Mercredy de la semaine prochaine,—il desire beaucoup que l’un de ces deux Jours puissent leur convenir, qu’il regrette d’avoir si longtems èté privé de les voir.
Il attend leur descision pour l’un de ce deux Jours avec bien de l’Impatience. M. Franklin le fils se reunis a M. son Pere pour assurer Mr et Me. Bachellier de leur sincere et respectueux Attachement.
  Passy le 5 Mars 1782

Notation: Bachelier Paris 3 Mars 1783


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Gastellier, 3 March 1783
From: Gastellier, René-Georges
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur et trés illustre Docteurà montargis ce 3 mars 1783.
Recevés je vous supplie de nouveau mes actions de Graces trés humbles de l’honneur que vous m’avés fait en recevant la dédicace de mon foible ouvrage et surtout de la maniere beaucoup plus honnête que meritée avec la quelle vous avés daigné l’accueillir. Le souvenir d’un bienfait aussi précieux ne s’effacera jamais de ma mémoire et je puis vous assurer que ma réconnoissance egale le profond respect avec le quel je suis Monsieur votre trés humble trés obeissant serviteur
Gastellier

P.S. Trois exemplaires doivent accompagner la presente missive. Celui qui est relié est destiné au président de la société de philadelphie et les deux autre au secretaire et à la société elle même.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Lacarre, 3 March 1783
From: Lacarre, ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

MonsieurIsle d’Oleron le 3 Mars 1783
Toute l’Europe a les yeux fixés Sur vous: Elle partage, avec les Etats-unis, Les vœux qu’ils font pour votre Conservation.
Les Nouvelles publiques ont fait Mention que vous Etes ataqué de la Pierre: J’ai Eprouvé la meme Incommodité, Et J’ai Jetté, depuis le 24 Juillet dernier, à l’aide d’une Tisane, dont Je Joins ici la Recette, Environ 140 fragmens de pierres, dont quelques unes de la grosseur du Caffé Moka, Et d’autres Comme des Lentilles qui ont la forme de Champignons. J’entre dans Ce detail, Monsieur, pour vous Engager à faire usage de Cette Tisane: Si Elle ne produit pas Sur vous, le bon Effet que J’en ai Ressenti, dumoins Elle ne Saurait vous Nuire; J’en apprendrai le Succèz, avec la Satisfaction Et l’Interet, que Toute ame Honnête doit prendre à des Jours aussi pretieux que les votres./.
Je Suis avec Respect Monsieur Votre Tres Humble & tres obeissant Serviteur./.
Lacarreancien Lit [Lieutenant] De roy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from August Friedrich Wilhelm Crome, 4 March 1783
From: Crome, August Friedrich Wilhelm
To: Franklin, Benjamin

MonsieurDessau. 4e. Mars 1783.
Pardonnés qu’un Homme etranger et inconnu de Vous, se mele dans la Foule de Ceux qui s’empressent depuis longtems à Vous temoigner, Monsieur, le profond respect et la parfaite veneration que Vous Vous etes aquise dans le Monde par la sage Vigilance, et par la Constance inebranlable avec la quelle Vous avés travaillé si efficacement à briser les chaines d’un Peuple opprimé. Je suis persuadé, Venerable Viellard, que le même esprit de Sagesse et d’humanité Vous animera toujours du desir de rendre heureux les vastes Etats que Vous avés fondé; ensorte que l’empressement de ceux qui tachent d’y contribuer ne peut que Vous plaire. J’aspire Monsieur à la gloire de trouver une place parmi ces derniers, et je viens Vous prier de m’honorer de Vos sages Conseils sur la maniere dont je dois m’y prendre dans le dessein que j’ai de payer mon Tribut aux braves Americains. Je me propose de composer un Ouvrage qui contienne une Enumeration aussi complette qu’il me sera possible de toutes les productions du Pays des Etats unis de l’Amerique, relative aux besoins du Cultivateur, du Fabriquant, et du Commerçant; et cela topographiquement. Mon but est de renfermer dans cet Ouvrage non seulement une specification detaillée des productions actuelles de ce Pays, mais aussi de celles qu’il pourra un jour fournir au Commerce et aux Manufactures, soit en qualité ou en quantité. Le tout accompagné d’un Exposé de l’etat de leur Manufactures et de leur Commerce. Cet ouvrage sur l’etat œconomique de l’Amerique sera accompagné d’une Carte exacte dressée sur deux grandes feuilles jointes, gravée de la même maniere que la Carte des productions de l’Europe, que j’ai publiée il y a quelque tems, avec une explication abregée, et que j’ai l’honneur de Vous presenter très humblement. Sans doute que l’Europe ne souhaite rien tant que d’aquerir une connaissance exacte d’un Pays ou l’on se presse de se rendre, et qui attire l’attention de tous les Commerçans. J’ose donc esperer, Monsieur, que cette entreprise aura l’approbation du Pere de ces Etats; et dans cette esperance, je viens Vous prier de Vouloir bien m’honorer de Vos Avis à l’egard de cet Ouvrage, et de me communiquer toutes les relations que Vous jugerés convenables à mon but, ou de m’en indiquer les Sources, soit Cartes, ou livres; je tacherai de me les procurer à quelque prix que ce soit, puisque dans une telle entreprise on n’a jamais trop de Materiaux.
Je me propose de livrer cet Ouvrage en Français et en Allemand, et si Vous me faites la grace, Monsieur, de me pardonner la liberté que j’ose prendre, et de m’honorer d’une reponse favorable à mon projet, j’espere d’etre en etat de publier cet Ouvrage vers la fin de l’Automne.
Il n’est pas necessaire que je m’etende ici à Vous representer les Avantages qui peuvent resulter de cette entreprise pour le Commerce reciproque de l’Europe et des Etats unis. Vous les sentirés bien mieux que je ne pourrais vous les dire. Il me suffit de Vous prevenir sur le but que j’ai en Vue, et qui se rapporte tout à fait au Commerce; ensorte que je ne negligerai pas de parler des differentes branches de Commerce deja ouvertes ou qui peuvent s’ouvrir encore, et des places les plus avantageuses à cet Objet.
Agrées, Venerable Vieillard, les Vœux ardens que je fais pour la Conservation de Votre precieuse Vie, et le temoignage de la parfaite Veneration avec la quelle j’ai l’honneur d’etre Monsieur Votre très humble et très obeissant Serviteur.
A. F. W. Crome.Professeur en Geo. et Statist.

Notation: Crome 4 Mars 1783.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Roze de Chantoiseau, 5 March 1783
From: Roze de Chantoiseau, ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

MonsieurCe 5 mars 1783.
Vous m’aviés fait esperer que vous me feriés part de vos sentimens et observations Sur Le Tresor National, ou Banque Gle. de credit public dont jai eu Lhonneur de vous adresser Le Plan il y a près d’un mois.
Votre Silence, Monsieur, me donneroit Lieu de craindre que votre Santé ne Se soit trouvée alterée Si je n’avois bien plus de raisons d’apprehender que cet objet plus reflechi, n’ait pas repondû a Lidée avantageuse que Son Excellence m’avoit parû en avoir conçûe.
Je Sens bien que ce Plan est encore loin de La perfection qu’il est Susceptible d’atteindre, mais J’ose me flatter qu’a l’aide de vos Lumieres et de vos Conseils, Il sera au moins tel qu’il poura (Ainsi que je l’ai annoncé,) operer, non Seulement La liquidation des dettes d’un Etat,
Sans en dimminuer les revenus,
ny en aggraver Les Charges,
mais encore procurer deux cent, même trois cent pour cent de Benefice, à une partie des cooperateurs, cest a dire des Endosseurs. Vous m’entendés, cela Suffit.
Je suis en attendant lhonneur de votre reponse avec un tres profond respect Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres obeisst. Serviteur
Roze DE CHANTOISEAU

P.S. Je me Suis defait en votre Faveur de la feuille de Papier dont vous m’aviés fait Cadeau. J’ose me flatter que vous vous voudrés bien la remplacer par une Autre et que vous ne douterés point que je ne la conserve comme un gage tres precieux./.

Notation: Roze de Chantoiseau, Paris 5 Mars. 1783


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from St. Clair, 5 March 1783
From: St. Clair de Roslin, ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Paris March 5th. 1783
I had the honour to write to your Excellency two days ago by the post but as I have not been honoured with an answer I take the liberty once more to importunate you but not being possesed of three sols to pay the postage I find myself obliged to be the carrier of it. I have now no other party or choice left if your Excellency does not furnish me with the means of returning to America than to enlist as a private Soldier in the French service however humiliteting and degrading this must be to our service I cannot help if your Excellency will honour me with a few Lines I shall esteem it a particular favr. I remain with the most sincer attachment your Exellency’s most humble and most obedient Servant
St Clair

Addressed: To / His Excellency B. Franklin / Minister Plenipotentiary / of the United States / At / Passy
Notation: St. Clair, Paris March 5. 1783.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Georg Joseph Vogler, 5 March 1783
From: Vogler, abbé George Joseph
To: Franklin, Benjamin

MonsieurParis le 5 du Mars 1783
J’ai eu l’honneur tant au Musée de Paris, dont je suis membre, qu’à Passi chez vous même, de vous expliquer quoîque bien faiblement ma Theorie nouvelle musicale ainsi que mon Instrument le Tonometre approuvè par l’academie des Sciences.
Vous avez bien voulu m’accorder vos suffrages et encourager un auteur qui paroit pour la premiere fois en France. J’ose les rapeller dans ce moment pour ma pratique et je sèrais infiniment flatté si vous daigne honorer de votre presence un Opera que j’ai mise en Musique, et qu’on donnera bientôt aux Italiens intitulè le Patriotisme, tandis que vous avez demontrè à l’Europe entier combien vous estimez le nom de Patriote. Et Vu les circonstances actuelles politiques en Amerique je prends la libertè de vous proposer un homme riche, et honête, Marchand à Majence et mon ami, qui desirerait d’être employè par le respectable Congrès comme un agent.

Il pourrait Servir pour tout ce qui regarde les lettres de Change, pour le commerce de Vin, qu’il exerce dejà long tems, et sur tout pour le Vin du Rhin et de Mosèlle, il servirait pour le manufactures de Verre dans la quelles il a la plus grande intelligence ayant même l’Entreprise du Verre pour tout l’Electorat de Majence.
Il s’offre dans les Etats du Nord-Amerique ou il y a des grandes forêts, d’etablir des manufactures et tout ce qu’il y appartient, de faire un depôt de Vins du Rhin &c. tel qu’il se trouve à Hambourg et de meriter votre Satisfaction partout. Son nom et adresse est Jacques Groeser Marchand à Majence.
Tous ces qui le connaissent pourront toujours repondre pour lui, mais je serais, on ne peut, plus reconnaissant si à ma recomendation vous daignerez accepter un homme, qui plus par son attachement aux vrais patriotes que par l’interêt desire vous Servir et être utile. En attendant votre reponse j’ai l’honneur d’être Monsieur votre tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur
ABBÈ VoglerConseiller Eccl. et maitre de Chapellede S.A.S. Mgr. Elect. Palatin.
ruë Croix des petits champs maison d’un Peruquier à cotè du Cloitre St. Honorè.

Notation: Abbè Vogler Paris 5 Mars 1783


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 5 March 1783
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear & hond Sir.Nantes March 5. 1783
The King has published an Arrêt suspendending the Payment of all Bills drawn by the Marine in America 12 months after the just time of their becoming due and I have 184. thousand Livres in that Situation. These Bills belong to a number of Individuals who are here & the Returns are Shipped, I have already paid the greater part & must pay the Remainder, or keep the Bodies of these People for they have nothing but themselves and the Bills to pay with. You will readily conceive how hard it is for me to be the Victim of my Confidence in these Bills which I never before had any Reason to doubt. But the Arrêt expresses only Bills drawn from India & America (meaning by the Latter I suppose their Colonies which are always called Amerique) and no mention of the United States. I am therefore in hopes the Arrêt was not meant to apply to us; But the Treasurer takes upon him to suppose so for although these Bills were presented a month ago (some more) they are among the Suspended.— I beg to intreat you Sir to endeavour to save me from this cruel Stroke, the Bills may as well be annihilated, as Suspended for a Year for I must have this money some how or other in a very short Time. I inclose a Letter to the Minister on the Subject, I left it unaddressed because I do not know whether it should go to the Marquis de Castries or M. de Fleury, you are the best Judge of the Propriety, and I beseech you to send it with your Support & Reccommendation: I think if they can pay anything, they will pay these Bills after your Representation of the Matter, in which I beg you not to delay a moment, I am Sorry to be so troublesome to you, but it is for me a very Serious Affair and I trust you will kindly give me all the Support in your Power to obtain Redress. I need not repeat all particulars because you will See them by reading the Letter to the Minister.
I once more beg your kind protection & an answer as soon as possible.
I am as ever most dutifully & affectionately Yours.
Jona Williams J

Addressed: A Son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin / en son Hotel / a / Passy / pres Paris
Notation: Jona. Williams March 5. 1783.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Coakley Lettsom, 6 [or 17] March 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Lettsom, John Coakley

Dear Sir,Passy, March 6 [or 17], 1783.
I received your favour of September last. It found me labouring under a painful disorder, which continued long, and put me much behind-hand in my correspondence. I thank you for the valuable publications that accompanied it, particularly those of your own composition, which I read with pleasure.
Our late excellent friend was always proposing something for the good of mankind. You will find instances of this kind in one of his letters which I inclose, the only one I can at present lay my hand on. I have some very valuable ones in America, if they are not lost in the late confusions. You will be so good as to return this to me, after having extracted from it what you may think proper. Just before I left England, he, in conjunction with Mr. Barclay and myself, laboured hard to prevent the coming war. But our endeavours were fruitless. This transaction is alluded to in the paragraph that begins at the bottom of the first page. If we may estimate the goodness of a man by his disposition to do good, and his constant endeavours and success in doing it, I can hardly conceive that a better man has ever existed.
I desire to be considered as a subscriber, if there is a subscription, for two sets of his Works, which I will pay for on demand.
With great esteem, I am, Sir, Your most obedient and most humble servant,
B. Franklin.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Conde de Aranda, 6 March 1783
From: Aranda, Pedro Pablo Abarca de Bolea, Conde de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

a Paris ce 6 Mars 1783.
L’ambassadeur d’Espagne ne pouvait point oublier l’invitation de Mr. Franklin pour samedi, il desirait meme le moment d’y concurrir avec la plus grande satisfaction.

Mr. le chevr. del Campo profitera egalement de ses bontès. A l’egard du jeune Mr. Campos s’il etait de retour pour ce jourla, puisqu’il est atendu d’un jour a l’autre il sera bien flatè du souvenir dont on l’honore, et il en profitera.
L’ambasr. se fera un plaisir de faire conoitre les intentions polies de Mr. Franklin a Mr. le vicomte de la Herreria, qui etoit aussi l’autre jour chez Mr. Jay: et en atendant il a l’honeur de renouveller son parfait atachement a Mr. Franklin.

Notation: D’Arrandir Paris 6 Mars 1783


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 6 March 1783
From: Hodgson, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear sirLondon 6th Mar: 1783
I wrote you a few days ago on the Subject of our Ship to America craving your Advice & Assistance wh. I hope you will be so obliging as to favor me with a speedy Answer— I now inclose you the Draft of a Bill now in the House & which no doubt will pass into a Law, for restoring Trade betwixt this Country & America it is formed upon liberal principles & will I have no doubt produce the desired effect— I likewise inclose you a Letter from the Earl of Buchan which I recd from Mr Strahan. Mr Jones has got the appointment of one of the Judges in Bengal—a place of very great Emolument— I requested some Time ago the favor of Mr W. Franklin to make an Enquiry for me at Mr de Castries Office I fear it escaped his Memory— No Ministry as yet formed— I am Dr sir Yours most sincerely
William Hodgson
N.B. The Prisoners are at last, all ordered away to FranceHis Excellency B. Franklin Esqr