Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, 8 August 1783
From: Vaughan, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            My dearest sir,
            London, Augt. 8th:, 1783.

          I beg to introduce to your kind regards one of my best respected friends, Mr Dugald
            Stewart, who though as yet little known out of Scotland, is one of the best known men in
            it. He stands in the very first class of their mathematicians & literary men. He has
            twice at a day’s warning taken up Dr. Adam Ferguson’s lectures in Moral Philosophy,
            & twice completely excelled him in the opinion of every one, as was proved in
            particular by the attendance he had while he lectured.— Perhaps you may remember his father who lectured
            at Edinburgh in Mathematics, & wrote a treatise on the sun’s distance from us as
            deducible from the theory of gravity. It is very poor compliment to Mr Stewart, to say
            that in science it is the father who is really the child.
          My friend travels with Lord Ancram, the son of the Marquis of Lothian, whom he represents to me as a pretty & very
            amiable young man. I beg you would extend your notice to him also.
          I have extreme confidence in begging your attention to Mr Stewart, because I am sure it
            is in his power to repay you by the information he can give you of the literary
            characters in his country, & the objects they are pursuing. He is however very diffident, & is very fearful of betraying
            himself upon subjects which he is not master of, in which list for the present he reckons mathematics, & is therefore averse to meeting
            M D’Alembert on the subject, though he wants to see him.— He is not strong in Natural
            Philosophy, but he understands every thing in it. He burns to see you as its present
            father; and as at least half the time I spent alone with
            him in Scotland was employed in conversing about you, I believe he would not think he
            had been out of his country unless he was allowed to see you at Paris.
          I have no news which I have the courage to write you. The way things go on will have
            sufficiently explained some of the reasons of my past silence.— At present however there
            is no news which you are not at least as well acquainted with as myself, were I inclined
            to go into it.— I think the nation would in time opens its
            eyes about improvements in commerce & peace, if pains were taken with them, and the
            ministry as much in earnest as the last on this point.
          Please to remember me very affecty. to Mr Franklin. And for yourself, believe me my dearest sir,
            your ever respectful, (devoted, grateful,) & affectionate humble sert

            Benjn. Vaughan
            Dr. Franklin.

          Addressed: A Monsr / Monsr. Franklin. /
            &c &c &c / a Passy. / Par faveur de M. Stewart & le Comte Ancram.


Title: Henry Laurens to the Other American Peace Commissioners, 9 August 1783
From: Laurens, Henry
To: Other American Peace Commissioners

            Gentlemen.
            London 9th. August 1783.

          Availing my self of your consent & recommendation I embarked at le Havre on board
            the Washington & Sailed from thence the 1st. Inst. On the 2d. at 9 o’Clo. AM. we were within six Leagues of Poole in
            Dorsetshire. The Wind being very favorable, I quitted the Ship, went on board a small
            Hoy bound to Poole & urged Capt. Barney to proceed on his Voyage, leaving my
            excellent Post Carriage to take its fate on the Ship’s Deck in preference to the risque
            of delaying him a single hour. Had the Wind been Westerly I might have detained him a
            few days for dispatching to Congress the result of my applications to the Ministers of
            this Court. I judge from the state of the Winds since I parted with Capt. Barney, he was
            clear of the Channel on Sunday Night the 3d. & that he is now 150 or 200 Leagues
            advanced on his Voyage.
          I arrived in London late in the Night of the 3d. on the 5th. had a conference with the
            Rt Honble. C J Fox Esqr. which I commited to writing as soon as it had ended. I shall
            give it in short dialogue as the best way, not pretending to accuracy in every word but
            fully preserving the sense & substance.
          Mr. Fox—I suppose Mr. L. you wish to forward the Ratification of the Provisional
            Articles.
          L. I could wish that was done Sir, but tis not the particular business which I have in
            charge.
          F. I understood from Mr. Hartley’s Letter which you sent me it was, but he does not
            speak possitively.

          L. No Sir, the only business I have in Charge is to enquire, whether a Minister from
            the US of America would be properly received at this Court.
          F. Most undoubtedly, I could wish there was one here at present, I think we have lost
            much time from a want of a Minister from your side.
          L. then Sir, will you be so good as to ask his Majesty the Question & inform
            me.
          F. I’ll take the King’s pleasure tomorrow & you shall hear from me, I suppose there
            is already a conditional appointment of some person now in Europe.
          L. Not that I know of, tho’ I don’t know the contrary, but I have an excellent
            opportunity for writing to Congress & I have no doubt an appointment will be
            immediately made.
          F. that’s unlucky, there must be two crossings the Ocean then; If a Minister from
            Congress had been here we might have done our business in half the time we have already
            spent, but I shall certainly inform you to Morrow, this is the very time a Minister from
            your people is most necessary.
          L. tho’ I have nothing particularly in charge except the business already mentioned, I
            regret the delay of both the Commercial & definitive Treaty. We had flattered our
            selves with hopes in March & April that both would have been finished in a few
            days.
          F. Why as to a Definitive Treaty, I don’t see any necessity for one, or not
            immediately. The Provisional Articles are to be inserted in & constitute a Treaty—a
            Ratification of those I apprehend will answer all purposes of a Definitive Treaty they
            may be made definitive.— The Case with respect to France & Spain differs widely, several articles in our Preliminaries with them refer to a
            definitive Treaty.
          L. I agree with you Sir, the Provisional Articles mutually ratified may by the consent
            of the Parties be made definitive, but there may be additional articles suggested &
            agreed to for mutual benefit.
          F. that’s very true but I don’t see any at present. I very much regret the want of a
            Minister from America.
          L. Permit me Sir to ask you, Is it intended by the Proclamation of the 2d July to
            exclude American Ships from the West India Trade between the United States & the
            British Islands?
          F. Yes certainly it was so intended, in order that we might have something to Treat
            for, & this will [be] a subject for Commercial
            Treaty—
          On the 6th. I waited upon His Grace the Duke of Portland. His Grace
            was equally clear & possitive as Mr. Fox had declared himself, that a Minister from
            the United States of America would be well received at this Court. & also regreted
            that an appointment had not earlier taken place.— I touched upon the Commercial &
            definitive Treaty refered to conversations & assurances in March & April,
            intimated my apprehensions of pernicios effects, which might arise from excluding
            American Ships from a freedom of Trade between the United States & the British West
            India Islands, adding what I had learned from Doctor Franklin of the Commerce intended
            by the Court of France to be permited between our America & the French Islands. I can only say, the Duke seemed to wish
            that every thing had been settled to mutual satisfaction & to hope that every thing
            would soon be settled. Yesterday by desire of Mr. Fox I called upon him again, he said
            he had not seen the King, but that he had transmited an Account to His Majesty of my
            application, that we might be perfectly satisfied however, a Minister from Congress
            would be well received, that the appointment of one was much wished for here. That he must take blame to himself in some degree for the long delay of a Commercial regulation, but that business would
            now be soon finished. He had no objection himself to opening the West India Trade to the
            Americans, but there were many parties to please “& you know added Mr. Fox, the
            people of this Country very well.” Yes Sir, I know something of them, & I find not
            only the West India Planters but some of the most judicios Merchants anxios for opening
            the Trade, I have been told by some of them they should be ruined without it. “I believe
            all this, said Mr. Fox but there are other people of a different opinion. As to the
            Definitive Treaty, there may as you observed be new articles necessary for mutual
            advantage & we may either add such to the Provisional Articles & make the whole
            definitive or make a New Treaty, but I understand it is expected this should be done
            under the Eye of, or in concert with the Court of France which for my own part I don’t
            like and can’t consent to.”
          I replied, “in my opinion a New Treaty definitive would be best as well for
            incorporating additional Articles as for clearing away some of the Rubbish in the
            Provisional, which contained if not nonsense, more than a little ambiguity. That tho’ I
            did not see the necessity for it now, yet I had been told it was expected our definitive
            Treaty should be finished in communication with the French Court. But as I had formerly
            observed I had received no charge on this head & spoke only the sentiments of Mr.
            Laurens to Mr. Fox not to a Minister of Great Britain.”
          I have detailed facts as fully & fairly as memory has enabled me, I leave them with
            you under this one remark that we are Cooler in the Dog Days than we were at the Vernal
            Equinox. The Philosophy of Versailles & Passy may account for & guard against
            the effects of extreme changes.
          I have found my presence at this juncture of some use in explaining or attempting to
            explain the late Mutiny at Philadelphia, the Enemies of this Kingdom & the United
            States had exulted, the friends to both had too much abandoned
            themselves to dread that the Soldiery had assumed the Reins of Government & that all
            the States of America were rushing into Anarchy. Capt. Carbary & Lieutt. Sullivan
            those rash Young Officers who led on the Mutineers to the State House, arrived a few
            days ago; the former has been with me expressing deep concern for his misconduct,
            desiros of returning with an assurance of personal safety & wanting Money for
            supporting daily expences, alledging that the United States “are indebted to him at
            least £1200. Currency exclusive of Land.” I have recommended to him to return
            immediately, to demean himself to the Laws of his Country & submit to the
            Magnanimity of Congress. He expresses a dread of undergoing a Trial. Could I afford it
            & were to advance Money for his living in London, should I not incur censure at
            home? I beg you will communicate such particulars of that disturbance & the event of
            it as you may have learned, & your opinion for my conduct respecting these
              Officers.
          Mr. Barclay will tell you of a display
            of the American Standard under a triumphant British Pendant at a very Capital Inland
            Fair. Trifling as the Insult may appear it discovers a little Leaven at Center. With
            every good wish & with very great Respect & Esteem I have the honor to be
            Gentlemen Your faithful & Obedient servant

            Henry Laurens.
            Their Excellencies The Ministers Plenepotentiary from the United
              States of America at Paris.

          Endorsed by John Jay: Mr Laurens 9 Augt.
            1783


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Ann Hudson de Lavau, 10 August 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Lavau, Ann Hudson de

            Madam,
            Passy, Augt. 10. 1783

          I received your Letter dated the first Instant, which I should have answered directly, but had
            mislaid the enclos’d Letter from your Mother which you desired might be sent you. The
            Bills mentioned by Mr Beall, came duly to my hands and I have received the Money,
            Seventy-two Dollars. I imagined you were long since gone to America, am sorry to hear of your Disappointments, and
            now acquaint you that you may draw on me for three hundred and Sixty Livres Tournois,
            the Amount of the above, which shall be paid on Sight; and this Sum, with Mr Beall’s Letter which I
            also send you enclos’d, will I hope
            procure you a Passage to your own Country, where I wish you may arrive safe & have a
            happy Sight of your Friends. I am, Your humble Servant

            B Franklin
            Mrs Ann Hudson de Lavau


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from A. C. G. Deudon, 10 August 1783
From: Deudon, A. C. G.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Monsieur
            Paris ce 10 aoüt 1783

          Lors de mon départ de Bruxelles, monsieur Bournons, de l’académie roÿale des Sciences de cette
            ville, m’a prié de vous faire parvenir la prèmiére partie de ses élémens de
            mathématiques, que voici; il m’a chargé en même-tems, de vous faire Connoître de Sa
            part, qu’il aura l’honneur de vous prèsenter les deux volumes Suivans, du même ouvrage,
            à mesure qu’ils paroitront.
          Il vous souviendra peut-être encore Monsieur, que, sous les auspices de monsieur
            diderot, vous m’avez fait l’honneur, l’étée passé, de me permettre de voir vôtre
            armonica, que vous avez eu la bonté de m’en expliquer le méchanisme et que j’ai pris la
              liberté alors, de vous communiquer les projets, que
            je m’étois formés d’âjouter quelques perfections, à Ce charmant instrument. Après bien
            des tentatives et des essais, qui avoient plus ou moins, des avantages ou des deffauts,
            je me Suis déterminé pour ce qui Suit. Une ou plusieurs bandes de drap mouillé et fixées
            à la partie antérieure de l’instrument, Sont couchées Sur les verres d’un Bout-à-l’autre
            et C’est par l’interposition de Ce drap, que les doigts les font sonner. La largeur de
            ces Bandes, ne doit guerre excéder la partie Supérieure des timbres et la quantité de
            ces bandes doit être déterminée, Sur les différens verres, d’après quelques essais
            préliminaires.
          Au moÿen de ce procédé Bien Simple, j’obtiens en premier lieu, un Son plus pur, plus
            doux et également intense qu’avec les doigts nuds. Les doigts nuds, à la vérité,
            procurant des sons plus argentins, plus pènétrans que le drap; mais celui-ci en revange,
            en donne des plus moëlleux et des plus tendres. En Second lieu, les tons extrémes, tant
            Supérieurs, qu’inférieurs, parlent difficilement et n’obéissent que lentement au doigt;
            le drap au Contraire, les fait chanter plus aisement, Sur-tout les aigus. En troisieme
            lieu, les verres parlent plus vîte à ma manière et l’intonation en paroit moins Brusque.
            Enfin le drap une fois mouillé, le reste pour long-tems: il faut au contraire, mouiller
            Souvent les doigts. Voici du moins les resultats que j’ai trouvé Sur mon instrument fait
            de verres de la fabrique de liege et j’ai tout lieu de croire, qu’il en Seroit de même,
            avec des Crïstaux Soufflés ailleurs, d’autant plus que Leurs Altesses roÿales,
            gouverneurs actuels des paÿs-bas,
            m’aÿant fait demander quelques mois passés, de remettre deux timbres cassés, à leur
            Armonica, faite à londres; j’ÿ ai ajouté, après l’avoir racommodé, les Bandes de drap,
            dont je viens d’avoir eu l’honneur de vous parler et l’on en a été tellement Satisfait,
            tant pour la beauté des Sons, que pour la facilité du jeu, que les musiciens de la cour,
            ont totalement abandonné le toucher du doigt nud, pour ÿ Substituer ma méthode.
          A Cette petite perfection, j’en ai âjoutée une plus importante, quoi-que de la plus
            grande Simplicité. Vous connoissez Monsieur, combien les transpositions d’un ton à un
            autre Sont de difficile exécution en musique et qu’il ne faut rien moins que la très longue pratique, d’un musicien Consommé qui peut la
            lui rendre facile. Or je transpose Sans peine, dans tous les tons, Sans Sortir même de
            la gamme naturelle et voici Comment. Vous dites dans vôtre lettre au pere beccaria, en
            lui donnant la déscription de vôtre charmant instrument, que vous peignez les bords de vos verres, des
            sept Couleurs prismatiques, les diezés en Blanc et ca pour que l’œil du joueur, puisse
            aisement reconnoître les tons: Cette ingénieuse idée, m’en a fait naitre une autre et
            C’est en la généralisant, que j’ai imaginé Ce qui Suit. Au lieu de peindre les verres,
            je pose derriere eux et en face du joueur, une latte de bois, mince, de la largeur de
            deux ou trois pouces: cette latte, qui Suit l’inclinaison des verres, est peinte en
            Blanc, portant Sur toute Sa Largeur, des bandes étroites, colorées des 7 Couleurs du
            Spectre de newton et dont chacune se trouve vis-à-vis du verre correspondant. Les
            Semi-tons Sont peints de noir et au lieu d’en faire des Bandes entières, elles
            n’occupent que la moitié de la largeur de la latte, ce qui imite assez bien l’aspect
            d’un clavier d’orgue. Si je veux transposer un air quelconque, par exemple d’un demi ton
            plus bas, que celui dans le quel il est noté, je Substitue à la prèmiére latte que
            j’enléve, une autre latte, dont les Bandes colorées, Se trouvent toutes placées
            Successivement un demi-ton plus Bas, que Sur celle-là: de manière, que la bande rouge, ou l’ut de celle-ci, Se
            trouve en face du verre qui prècédemment étoit indiqué par le violet ou le signe du Si. Or comme il Se trouve
            douze Sémi-tons dans une octave complette, il est clair, qu’au moÿen d’autant de lattes
            différentes, Sur les quelles on peut reculer autant de fois les couleurs prismatiques,
            on fera repondre chacune d’elles, à tous les verres, par conséquent à tous les tons de
            l’instrument; de sorte donc, qu’on pourra transposer à volonté; Ce qui est de la plus
            grande utilité dans bien des cas et d’un avantage sur tout bien marqué, pour l’armonica,
            à cause de son peu d’étendu. J’espère Monsieur, que vous voudrez bien pardonner la
            longueur de ma lettre, à l’enthousiasme qui m’égare, pour le plus flatteur et le plus
            harmonieux des instrumens, que vous avez si ingénieusement imaginé, ainsi qu’au zèle que
            j’ai d’ÿ âjouter quelque chose en marchant sur vos traces.
          Je crains bien, toute-fois, que peu versé dans la langue françoise, qui m’est étrangére, je n’aurai pas eu le bonheur de m’expliquer assez
            clairement: maûis je me flate en même-tems, qu’au cas que vous soÿez Curieux de voir les
            détails de mes procédés, vous voudrez bien me permettre que j’aille vous les donner: en
            ce cas, un mot de reponse, qui m’indiquera le jour qui vous Sera le plus Commode, me
            fera accourir à passi avec le plus vif empressement, trop flatté de Saisir cette
            occasion, pour vous donner Cette foible marque du profond respect avec le quel je suis
            Monsieur Vôtre très humble et très obéissant Serviteur

            A: C: G: DEUDONancien échevin de la
              ville de malines, à l’hôtelde lusignan, ruë des vielles étuves st.
              honoré.

            P:S: Si vous me faites
              l’honneur de me demander, j’apporterai avec moi une des lattes ci dessus, pour servir
              de modéle.

          Notations: M. Deudon, Appointed him to
            come hither, Thursday the 21. Augt 83—at 1 aClock / Deudon, 10 Août 1783


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre-Samuel Du Pont de Nemours, 10 August 1783
From: Du Pont de Nemours, Pierre-Samuel
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Monsieur,
            Paris 10 Aout 1783

          Mgr. Le Margrave rêgnant de Bâde me
            charge de vous prier de vouloir bien faire toutes les démarches qui dépendront de vous, pour avoir l’Extrait-Mortuaire du Sr. Adam
            Marggrander, né Sujet de ce Prince, et qui doit être mort noïé à Philadelphie. Ce S.
            Marggrander est parti pour Philadelphie, en 1774, avec un S. Gucker de Schreck, et il étoit emploïé à Philadelphie chéz un
            Brasseur nommé heintz, qui demeuroit dans la rüe du Marché.
          Son Altesse Sérénissime me charge de vous témoigner d’avance toute la reconnoissance
            qu’elle aura des peines que vous voudréz bien prendre à ce Sujet.
          J’ai bien de l’impatience d’aller vous faire ma cour, et causer un peu sur le Commerce
            de l’Amérique.
          Vous connoisséz le profond respect avec lequel je Suis Monsieur De votre Excellence Le
            très-humble et très-obeissant Serviteur

            DU
              Pontchever. de l’ordre ral. [royal] de Vazahotel de la Rochefoucaut rue des
              PetitsAugustins
          A Son Excellence Monsieur Francklin Ministre plenipotentiaire des
              Etats-unis de l’Amérique

            Note in Franklin’s hand: Mr. Franklin requests earnestly of Mr Thomson,
              to procure if possible what is desired in this Letter.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Nixon, 10 August 1783
From: Nixon, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            May it please your Excellency
            Off the Downes, 10th. August 1783.

          You will please to call to Mind that I presumed to inclose to your Excellency a little
            Book, which I published, Viz. Prosody made easy. The very
            polite Answer, which you returned, & your unexpected Liberality at so seasonable a
            Time can never be forgotten by me. The
            Mode of paying the Debt due by me to you was such a Proof of Politeness, Liberality,
            & universal Benevolence, as impressed me with the deepest Sense of the Favour. I
            take the Liberty of troubling you with a short Specimen of a few little Books, which I
            humbly hope would facilitate the Acquisition of the Roman Language &, by smoothing
            the Way, give more Time for other Studies. Should the Plan merit your Approbation, I
            would be proud of the Honour of being permitted to dedicate all the little Books
            (mentioned in it, including the Prosody), to your Excellency, for I think your Name
            would be an Advantage to me, & would be glad to make a public Acknowledgment of your
            Kindness to me & Mankind in general.

          The Letter, which you did me the Honour of sending me, when I was a Prisoner at
            Valognes in Normandy about two years ago, would now, if I had it, be of much service to
            me, because I am now sailing past the Downes on my Way to Portsmouth in Virginea, but
            about half a year after I burnt it, on hearing, that some people had been lodged in
            Newgate in London, on a Suspicion of holding a Correspondence with the Enemy & tho’
            the Letter, which I had the Honour of having from your Excellency contained nothing
            political, yet I then thought it prudent to annihilate it, tho’ I was very sensible,
            that, being preserved, it might be one Day useful to me & answer the End of a Letter
            of recommendation to a Professorship in some of the American Colleges, for you there did
            me the Honour of saying, that there was no Doubt, but I would make a useful Member of
            Society in America either as a Professor in a College or as a Clergy-man. The Colleges,
            I suppose, will be re-established soon, and I humbly hope, that I am not altogether
            unqualified for undertaking a Professorship in Latin, Greek, Logic, Geometry, Astronomy,
            Natural or Moral Philosophy. I trust that I can produce such Testimonies, as may not be
            disapproved of.
          Tho’ I cannot ask, yet I cannot help wishing for a Letter from your Excellency, which
            could not but be a most Advantageous Introduction of me into the new World to which I am
            now bound. Should your Excellency think proper to honour me with an Answer, please to
            direct to me in Portsmouth Virginea.
          I have the Honour of remaining with much Gratitude your Excellency’s very much obliged
            & very humble Servant

            William Nixon

          Addressed: For his Excellency B.
            Franklin Esqr. / Ambassador at the Court of Versailes / from the united States of
            America. /

          [In another hand:] Inland postage / [Added by Enoch Story(?):] Paid— / No 2 Hylords Court London 12th. August
            1783 Received and forwarded by Your Excellencys [torn] CH STORY [torn]
            Philadelphia
          Notation: William Nixon 10 Augt.
            1783.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Pio, 10 August 1783
From: Pio, Luigi
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            à Paris ce Dimanche 10. aout./. [1783]

          Mr. de Pio a l’honneur de renouveller les assurances de son respect à
            monsieur franklin, Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats unis de l’Amerique et de lui
            envoyer le 3me. volume des Oeuvres de Mr. filangieri avec une lettre du même, que Mr. de
            Pio a reçu hier de naples.
          Mr. de Pio est très flatté de pouvoir dire a Mr. franklin, qu’il y a actuellement un
            homme de Lettres ici fort de ses amis, qui travaille à la traduction française des
            Oeuvres de Mr. filangieri, et qu’il en est deja au second volume, et le premier paroitra
            sous peu de jours./.


Title: David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, 12 August 1783
From: Hartley, David
To: American Peace Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Adams, John,Jay, John,Laurens, Henry

          August 12 and 13 were of far greater diplomatic consequence than this
            exchange of formal letters about the birth of an English princess (the present letter
            and the commissioners’ answer of the following day) would suggest. On Tuesday, August
            12, at the weekly meeting of ministers at Versailles, Franklin and Adams learned that
            the French and Spanish definitive treaties with Great Britain had been prepared and
            corrected and were ready to be signed. The Americans presented Vergennes with a copy of
            their proposal for an Anglo-American definitive treaty, given to Hartley the previous
            Wednesday, which the French minister promised to review. By the time evening fell, however, all prospects
            for the success of that proposal had evaporated. A courier from England brought Hartley
            dispatches from Fox, including (in addition to notification of the royal birth) a letter
            of August 9 enclosing the king’s ratification of the preliminary articles and the text
            of a definitive treaty with the United States which Hartley was authorized to sign
            without further instructions. Hartley immediately informed Adams of
            this news, and the two made plans to travel together to Passy the next morning.
          On August 13 at Passy, Hartley and the American peace commissioners exchanged
            ratifications and examined the British proposal. Fox had characterized it as “purposely
            made out exactly & nearly literally conformable to the Provisional Articles,” as
            indeed it was, with the addition of a preamble and conclusion. Fox instructed that further commercial
            negotiations be postponed until they could be conducted by British and American
            ambassadors on their native soil. The Americans agreed, and plans were made to prepare
            texts of the definitive treaty as soon as possible.
          During these discussions, the commissioners informed Hartley that they had agreed to
            allow the ministers of the two Imperial courts to sign the treaty as mediators. Hartley
            vigorously opposed the idea, whereupon they assured him that they would be guided by the
            decision of his government and would wait for its answer. Either way, they said, they
            would sign the treaty as it stood.
          Hartley never did consult Fox on the issue of mediation, believing the concept to be
            “extremely offensive.” When or even if
            he communicated a final answer to the commissioners is not known. They were still
            waiting for a response on August 23, when Bariatinskii discussed the topic with
              Franklin. It is possible that the
            commissioners themselves dropped the issue, taking their cue from Vergennes. According
            to Adams’ account, when they told him “at last” of Hartley’s objections, Vergennes turned to Franklin and—using a tone that strongly suggested that
            “he did not wish the Mediation should take place”—pointed out that mediation could not
            be employed unless Hartley agreed. If
            that meeting took place on Tuesday, August 26, and Vergennes left it believing that no
            further obstacles would prevent his scheduling a signing ceremony, this would explain
            why he, Manchester, and Aranda had settled on a date by the following day.

            Gentlemen
            Paris Aug 12 1783

          I have the honour of transmitting to you a Copy of a Letter which I have received from
            Mr Fox, containing an Account of the Queen having been happily delivered of a Princess,
            and that her Majesty & the young Princess are as well as can be expected.
          Since the reconciliation which has happily taken place between our two Countries, I am
            happy in the opportunity of communicating to you such an occasion of our joint
            congratulations, as the first token of that satisfaction which your Country (and you as
            the Ministers of it in the present case) will receive from this and from every event,
            which may contribute to the happiness and honour of the King, the Queen & all the
            Royal Family of Great Britain.
          I am Gentlemen with the greatest respect and consideration Your most obedt Servt

            D Hartley
            To their Excellencies the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United
              States of America &c &c &c


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Sir James Nicolson, 12 August 1783
From: Nicolson, Sir James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            August 12. 1783. Grande Rue de Passy La maison près celle De Monsr Le Comte
              Destaing

          Sir James Nicolson presents Compliments to Doctor Franklin and is
            somewhat surprized to find out, only since his visit to the Doctr., that his Grandson
            had been received, out of respect to the Doctor’s great merit, by Lady Nicolson and that
            he had concealed her Ladyship’s portrait in miniature, under pretence of putting a glass
            to it. Sir James insists on the restoration of it, as his Lady does on all letters, that
            may have passed on the subject. He hopes that the Doctr. will grant all the merit due to
            the prudent method he has taken, having no time to lose, being on his departure for
            England.

            N.B. an immediate answer is
              expected. as the Doctor’s grandson, long before this, has refused complying with Lady
              Nicolson’s request—

          Addressed: Doctor Franklin / &c / à
            son Hotel / a Passy
          Notation: J. Nicolson Passy 12 Aug.
            83


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart, 13 August 1783
From: Brongniart, Alexandre-Théodore
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            paris le 13 aoust 1783.

          Brongniart a L’honneur de présenter Son tres humble Respect a
            Monsieur franklin, et de le prier de lui faire Sçavoir Si il Se donnera la peine de
            passer chez Lui Ce Matin Mercredi, et a quelle heure, Comme m. Son fils le lui a fait
            espérer La Semaine derniere. Il S’agit d’aller ensuitte a L’Ecole militaire et aux
            invalides relativement aux paratonnere que m. Le Maréchal de Ségur est dans L’intention
            de faire Etablir dans Ces deux maisons,
            et pour Les quels L’avis de Monsieur franklin Lui Sera bien precieux. Si Monsieur
            franklin etoit Libre a L’heure du diner apres L’examen de Ces deux maisons, M. Le
            gouverneur des invalides Seroit infiniment flatté que Monsieur franklin Voulu Lui faire
            L’honneur de Rester a diner chez Lui.
          Monsieur franklin en Se donnant La peine de passer chez M. Brongniart Rue St Marc y
            Verra Le Modele de la Colonne projettée a la Gloire de Louis XVI. pacificateur.

          Notation: Brognart 13 Août 1783


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Two Letters, 13 August 1783
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

          I.

            Dear & hond Sir.
            Nantes Augt. 13. 1783.

          I received your Favour by young Johonnott who unluckily arrived two days too late for
            the last Vessell to New England, we have now only one Opportunity & that is for
            Philadelphia and I will get him away with as little Expence as possible unless you
            direct otherwise; if he were to miss this Occasion it would be a long time before he
            could probably have another, and as is [his] Father is in Baltimore he may as well be
            there as any where else, though I believe it would be better for the Lad in a moral View
            if he was Fatherless.
          I am as ever most dutifully & affectionately Yours.

            Jona Williams J

          Addressed: A Son Excellence / Monsieur
            Franklin / en son Hotel / A Passy. / prés Paris
          Notation: Jonath: Williams Nantes August
            13. 1783.

          II.

            Dear & hond Sir.
            Nantes Augt. 13. 1783.

          I have made a second application to obtain a Passage for master Johonnott at a smaller
            Rate but without Success, though I think the price
            extravagant, I think it is the only Opportunity we shall have a long Time, it may
            therefore be in the End cheaper to send him off at once, and Shall prepare accordingly—
            If you think otherwise please to let me know in Time.
          I am as ever most dutifully & affectionately Yours

            J Williams J

          Addressed: A Son Excellence / Mr le
            Docteur Franklin / Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats- / Unis de l’Amerique, prés sa
            Majesté / trés chrétienne. / à Passy / prés Paris


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper Johonnot, 14 August 1783
From: Johonnot, Samuel Cooper
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Respected Sir
            Nantz 14 Aug 1783.

          I reach’d this Place the 11th, & waited the same Day on Mr Williams. He was kind
            enough to think of my Passage & sent Me to the Gentleman that fits out the Ship Le
            Comte D’Estaing, to agree for my Passage
            to Philadelphia, as there is no Vessel here bound to the Northward.
          The Price is 600 Livres.— Mr Williams thinks it exorbitant, & desires to know
            whether I must go or wait for a more convenient Opportunity.
          I board here at Mrs McCarty’s—pretty good Accommodations, & am employ’d under Mr
            Williams’s Eye in perfecting my Hand Writing.
          Penetrated with the highest Sense of Gratitude I have the Honour of subscribing myself
            with Submission & Esteem Your most humble Servant

            Sam’l Cooper Johonnot.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Nairne, 14 August 1783
From: Nairne, Edward
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear Sir
            London Augt. 14th. 1783

          Mr Sikes of Paris has been so obliging as to undertake the care of delivering a Book to
            you. It is directions for using my Patent Electrical Machine which I hope before this
            you have received safe. There are some
            experiments in the Philosophical part, which I hope will give you pleasure, as they tend
            to confirm your Theory of Electricity. If it were necessary to add any thing more to
            your account of the similitude of Lightning & Electricity, I think the experiment
            which I have published in the Phil. Trans. Vol: 70 for the year 1780 of the Effect of
            Electricity in shortning of wire, &
            likewise the same effect, which I have since observed produced by Lightning, which will
            be published in the next Phil: Trans: is
            another confirmation.
          I have lately met with a circumstance of the effects of Lightning, which I never heard
            of before. My Authority is part of a letter from the Duke of Marlborough to Professor
            Hornsby of Oxford who is now at Ramsgate
            for his Health, where he read it to me. A Gentleman told the Duke that in the Storm of
            Lightening which happened lately in Oxfordshire he had several of his Sheep killed under
            a Tree, I think it was thirteen, & that when they come to examine
            them, they found that every one of them had the Balls of their eyes forced out.
          I know your time is much taken up, otherwise I should esteem it greatly if you would
            favor with a line Your much obliged Hble Servt.

            Edwd: Nairne

          Addressed: Pour Son Excellence / Monsr.
            Le Docteur Franklin / a Passy / pres / Paris.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to François-Louis Teissèdre de Fleury, 15 August 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Fleury, François-Louis Teissèdre de

          This letter has puzzled editors for years. Its subject is the silver
            medal that Congress ordered Franklin to have struck for Lt. Col. de Fleury. Fleury
            himself delivered the congressional resolution to Franklin in early 1780 when he was on
            leave, but he was called back to America before Duvivier, the engraver, completed the
            work. At the end of May, 1780, when the medal was ready, Franklin had it delivered to
            Fleury’s father, according to the officer’s instructions. Just before leaving Paris,
            however, Fleury had informed Franklin that he wanted a second medal struck in gold at
            his own expense; he would pay Duvivier in advance and retrieve the medal from the
            engraver upon his return. Duvivier, for his part, exhibited the medal at the Salon of
            1781, where it was singled out for praise.

          In the fall of 1783, four months after Fleury’s regiment returned from America, a
            succession of articles appeared in the French press that described the congressional
            medal Fleury had “lately” received, emphasizing that he was the only foreigner to have
            been so honored by Congress. The first of these appeared on October 17 in the Mémoires secrets. It was paraphrased the following week in
            the Gazette de France. On November 1 the Journal Politique de Bruxelles section of the Mercure de
              France ran a fuller story which quoted a letter of presentation from Franklin,
            without a date or full salutation. Three
            days later, another version of the story appeared in the Courier
              de l’Europe. This one offered a slightly different text of Franklin’s letter and
            included a full dateline and salutation. That is the text we publish below. The
            differences between the two French versions, many of them stemming from the uncertainty
            about whether the word “Congress” is singular or plural, suggest that they were
            independent translations of a now-missing English original.
          Given the firm dateline on this letter in the Courier de
              l’Europe, we earlier supposed that Franklin must have retrieved the gold medal
            from Duvivier and sent it to Fleury upon the chevalier’s return. The puzzling aspect was that he here refers
            specifically to a medal struck by order of Congress (which, strictly speaking, the gold
            medal was not). We now recognize two other possibilities. Fleury may have retrieved his
            gold medal from Duvivier as planned but solicited the present letter when he discovered
            that Franklin had neglected to write one to accompany the silver medal in 1780, as he
            had requested. The second possibility is
            that Franklin did write this letter in 1780, but three years later, when Fleury or
            someone else provided a copy to the newspapers, the date was altered (or, in the case of
            the Journal Politique de Bruxelles, omitted altogether) to
            foster the harmless fiction that the medal had been presented after the war’s
            conclusion. This, in fact, was the thrust of the news stories. Many of them included
            other documentation in addition to this letter from Franklin: a complete list of men whom Congress had honored with medals during the war (only eight in all,
            and Fleury the only foreigner), and a testimonial to Fleury’s bravery written by George
            Washington.
          The article in the Courier de l’Europe was soon translated
            into English. That translation, containing a retranslation into English of Franklin’s
            letter, appeared in the November issue of the Universal Magazine
              of Knowledge & Pleasure. From
            there it spread to the American press, where it circulated widely. Congress may have
            been surprised to read it, as Franklin had informed them in 1780 that the medal had been
              delivered.

            Monsieur,
            A Passy, le 15 Août 1783.

          J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer, conformément aux ordres du Congrès, la Médaille qu’ils
            m’ont ordonné de faire frapper, en mémoire de votre belle action à l’attaque du fort de
            Stony-Point, pour vous la présenter en leur nom.
          Je remplis ce devoir avec plaisir, ayant moi-même une haute opinion de votre mérite. Je
            desire que vous puissiez porter pendant une longue vie cette marque honorable de leur
            considération.
          Je suis, avec une grande estime, &c.

            (Signé) B. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Berkenrode, 15 August 1783
From: Berkenrode, Mattheus Lestevenon heer van Hazerswoude en
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            paris ce 15 Aout 1783.

          L’Ambassadeur de Hollande a L’honneur d’assurer Monsieur Francklin de
            Ses tres humbles civilités. Il S’acquittera tres exactement de La Commission en
            question, et fera parvenir a Leur adresse Le paquet qu’il Lui à envoié hier.
          Court un bruit ici, depuis 24 heures, de nouvelles reçues d’une rebellion dans Les
            troupes Americaines au nombre de 5000 hommes, aiant des bas Officiers a Leur tete, qui
            doivent avoir commis des desordres a philadelphie. L’Ambassadeur desire Sincerement que la Nouvelle
            Soit fausse, et, S’il n’y à pas d’indiscretion, il
            prie Monsieur Francklin de vouloir bien Lui dire S’il Sait quelque chose de positif a ce
            Sujet.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Elias Boudinot, 15 August 1783
From: Boudinot, Elias, Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Sir,
            Princeton 15. August 1783.

          I had the honor of your favor of the 7th. of March last enclosing the treaty between
            the United States and the King of Sweden, the ratification whereof has been retarded for want of nine States present in
            Congress. This Act has now taken place, and I am honored with the commands of Congress
            to transmit it to you for exchange, which I now have the pleasure of doing, and hope it
            will meet with a safe and speedy conveyance.
          On revising the Treaty a manifest impropriety struck Congress in the Title of the
            United States being called of North America, when it should
            have been only America; and also in the enumeration of the different States, wherein the
            Delaware State is called “The three lower counties on Delaware.” As there is no such
            State in the union, Congress were at a loss how they could ratify the Treaty with
            propriety, unless they should alter the transcript, which might be liable to many
            exceptions; they have therefore, to avoid all difficulties, passed a seperate Resolve,
            empowering you to make the necessary amendments. A certified copy of this Resolution I do myself
            the pleasure to enclose.

          Congress are entirely at a loss to account for the silence of their Commissioners at
            Paris since February last, being without any official information relative to the Treaty
            with Great Britain since that time.
          I had the honor of writing you very fully on the 15th. of July last, giving the reasons
            for our removal to this place at length, which I hope got safe to hand.
          Congress having determined not to fix the place of their permanent residence till the
            first Monday in October next, is the
            reason of deferring the appointment of a Minister for Foreign Affairs till that is
            done.—
          I have the honor to be, with high respect, & Esteem Sir, Your most obedient &
            very humb. Servt.—

            Elias Boudinot

            P.S. I have sent by this Oppertunity, the News
              Papers to this Date.
            The Honorable Benjamin Franklin, Esq.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Ingenhousz, 15 August 1783
From: Ingenhousz, Jan
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear Friend
            Vienna Aug. 15th. 1783.

          I wrote to you a note some weaks ago to
            accompany the request of mr. Veinbrenner, which you allready had granted. His
            commissionary is allready gone to Hamburg and will set out with the first vessel for
            Philadelphia, waiting only for the introductory lettres you promish’d— Your last was
            dated may 16th, of Which I first recieved the copy. Reciev my thanks for the medal,
            which was much and justely admired— I recieved this days a lettre from mr. Le Roy dated
            juin 9th by which I am rejoiced to see you continue in good health— However strongly the printer of my book, Didot le jeun, promis’d to work close at the printing of it, he does not perform
            it; so that it may possibly become a posthumus work. This is vexing to the utmost. The
            german translation of it is allready nearly sold out. Mr. le Begue says he does what he
            can to press the printer. I thank you for the leave of dedicating it to you, of which I
            am proud— I doe not think it probable
            that one of my letters to you could have been lost, as it went thro the hands of mr.
            Brantzen. I think reather you may have forgot it or misled.— I have red an extract of
            our common Friend Sir john Pringle’s biography by Dr. Kipi, his theological Friend, who
            contributed the most to fix his anxious mind upon Socinianisme as being in his opinion
            the most rational and the only good religion. His caracter seems to me drawn in a
            masterly way. You and I are good judges of it— In collecting what philosophical anecdotes I
            possess of you, I find it difficult, how to comply with your request of not mentioning
            your name in the paper you adressed to me on father Barletti’s work. I can not, consistent with the rules of equity
            and veracity, give it for my own, and even less for a performance of an anonimous
            author; for than your name would be equaly gessed, and it would have some appearence of
            mystery. As it is written in a Very polite, and at the same time very modest stile it
            can’t hurt any one, and therefore you would oblige me to withraw your request and give
            me leave to publish it as it is. The notes, which I will add to it, will be what I wrote
            to you about my perfectely imitating the effect of the lightning at Cremona by a strong
            electrical explosion. Father Barletti
            him Self will recieve it with pleasur. It will give him a new
            specimen of putting explications of natural phenomena in a clear and obvious light. He
            is very far from being a clear headed philosopher. All his writing are nearly as dark,
            diffuse and perplexed as those of Father Beccaria. They vex and tire the readers mind, without
            clearing up the difficulty. I have observed, that those who extol’d the most their
            works, had in reality not had the courage to goe thro them— If you should remember some
            particularities about the circonstances and consequences of the two electrical
            explosions, by which you was hit by accident, and struk to the ground, you would oblige
            me to communicate them to me, as I doe not find them in your works. As the effect of a Similar stroke by which I was
            struk, was followed by some remarcabel particularities I should like to compare them
            which those you have experienced. The jarr, by which I was Struck, contained about 32
            pints, it was nearly fully charged when I recived the explosion from the Conductor
            supported by that jarr. The flash enter’d the corner of my hat. Then, it entred my fore
            head and passed thro the left hand, in which I held the chaine communicating with the
            outward Coating of the jarr. I neither saw, heared, nor feld the explosion, by which I
            was Struck down. I lost all my senses, memory, understanding and even sound judgment. My
            first Sensation was a peine on the forehead. The first object I saw
            Was the post of a door. I combined the two ideas togeather and thaught I had hurt my
            head against the horizontal piece of timber supported by the postes, which was
            impossible, as the door was wide and high. After having answered unadequately to some
            questions, which were asked me by the people in the room, I determin’d to go home. But I
            was some what surprised, that, though the accident happened in a hous in the same street
            where I lodged, yet I was more than two minutes considering whether, to go home, I must
            go to the right or to the left hand. Having found my lodgings, and considering that my
            memory was become very weak, I thaught it prudent to put down in writing the history of
            the case: I placed the paper before me, dipt the pen in the ink, but when I applyed it
            to the paper, I found I had entirely forgotten the art of writing and reading and did
            not know more what to doe with the pen, than a savage, who never knew there was such an
            art found out. This Struck me with terror, as I feared I should remain for ever an
            idiot. I thaught it prudent to go to bed. I slept tolerably well and when I awaked next
            morning I felt still the peine on the forehead and found a red spot on the place: but my
            mental faculties were at that time not only returned, but I feld the most lively joye in
            finding, as I thaught at the time, my judgmement infinitely more acute. It did seem to
            me I saw much clearer the difficulties of every thing, and what did formerly seem to me
            difficult to comprehend, was now become of an easy solution. I found moreover a
            liveliness in my whole frame, which I never had observed before. This experiment, made
            by accident, on my self, and of which I gave you at the time an account, has induced me
            to advise some of the London mad-Doctors, as Dr. Brook, to try a similar experiment on mad men, thinking
            that, as I found in my self my mental faculties improoved and as the world well knows,
            that your mental faculties, if not improoved by the two strooks you recieved, were
            certainly not hurt by them, it might perhaps become a
            remedie to restore the mental faculties when lost: but I could never persuade any one to
            try it. I should like to know allso,
            whether the clok of your invention, showing hours, minutes and seconds by three weels
            only, has been publish’d as your invention, and whether you think it my [may] be publish’d
            now. If you give me leave, I will add to it the idea mr. whitehurst gave us at
              Derby, who to prevent the pendulum
            becoming shorter by Cold and longer by heat, by suspending the superior flexible part of
            it from an iron rod standing behind it, which, by extending or contracting in the same
            ratio as the pendulum, carries it higher or lower in proportion. I get it executed here.
            If you Could furnish me with some farther reflexions on this head it would be a
            satisfaction to me and an advantage to the public.
          What doe you think of publishing allso, the philosophical curiosity of the globe,
            formed as an earth globe, swimming in a large glass globe filled with water and æther,
            and having two magnets, within it and one in the pedestal to keep the globe in the
            center and preventing it from swimming to the sides?
            I remember I heard you more than once speak of an
            easy why of finding the different gravity of bodies in the time of the Conjunction of
            different planetes or of the sun and moon, by means of a spiral elastic wire, at whose
            end should hang a whight. I doe not recollect enough the manner of Constructing Such
            Contrivance to be able to describe it in a clear way. Would you be soo good as to
            furnish me with some hints about it?
          You have certainly concieved some more new ideas regarding Nature’s laws, which it
            would be a pity to be lost to philosophy. It is not common in philosophers to possess an
            inventive genius. Those who have it live seldom to an age, in which the judgment has
            become to its full vigour. You live to such an age. It would be a pity your ideas should
            sink with you into the grave. If some of them should return to your mind, pray, make a
            note of them.
          If to the above articles, and Such as you may still furnish me with, I could add those
            reflexions you begun to work at, about chimneys; and some few, which I may recollect, or
            I may find in your lettres, I could present the public with a set of usefull notions
            from a man, whose memory will be everlasting, and I would have some share in the merit
            of having saved them from being lost— Pray, in some leasure hours, subtracted from the
            whimsical potilical world, take now and than a trip again into the world of Nature. In
            the one you served your country, but in the other mankind— I wish for nothing more than
            to see you once more. I want only, to come over, more courrage than I have, to ask leave
            from my imp. master. If we goe here to
            war with the Turks, we will very likely have soon the Plague here. The foreign ministers and many people are alarm’d at the danger of this
            dreadfull calamity; the more so, as it is ordred no more to open at the frontiers the
            letters coming from the easteren countries or to Smoak them; as some folks have inspired our Prince with a
            belive, that the plague can not be conveyed by a letter; for, say they, if this was
            possible, all other nations, to which such letters are dayly conveyed without being
            Smoaked and purifyed, would constantely have the plague among them. Some people would
            perhaps suspect those men, who are the advisers of so extraordinary a resolution, in the
            very time of the plague raging all over the turkish dominions, to be gained by the
            Ottomans, whose policy it has allways be to send the plague to their ennemies.
          One may now soon exspect, that the quarantaine, till now so strictely observed, and
            with so good a succes, will soon be taken away allso, as it would be strenge to belive,
            that a lettre, written by a man labouring under the plage or of having its infection
            about him Could not Convey the Contagion, and to apprehend at the same time that a
            living man Coming thro the open air from Constantinople to Vienna or Belgrade, could
            still keep the poison about him without being himself affected by it. This believe that
            a lettre sealed up can convey no contagion, seems to me as extravagant as would be a
            believe that, among all the wearing appearel of a traveller, his nightcap only must
            necessarily be excepted of conveying this contagion. Not long ago my brother in law
            recieved a lettre from the Archipel written by a traveller labouring actualy under the
            plague but being nearly out of danger. He should have shuddred in reading it, if the
            lettre had not been opened at the frontiers (as it has been an invariable custom since a
            long while), and tho roughly perfumed; which is done by burning brimstone, juniper wood,
            myrrha, succinnan(?) &c. By the want of those salutary precautions, the plague used
            to break out at least every 10 years here or there in Europe in the
            former centuries. Whole Europe is now again in the same danger, as allmost all the
            Correspondence by letters from Alappe, Egypt and all those Countries, which are so often
            infected by the pestilential contagion, goes over Belgrade. I find now written upon all
            letters these dreadfull words, netto di fori, sporco di
              dentro, which strikes every one
            with terror, who recieves them. Many people who are much about the Souverain, approove
            of this extrordinary and erroneous opinion, thinking probably that nothing pleases more
            a great man than to approove of his opinions. If the plague will thus be carried into
            the French dominions, your American brethren may take by times salutary means to prevent
            this calamity passing the ocean. If you should hear speaking about this affaire, as you
            may likely, when the terror will spread thro Europe, I begg that my name be not
            mentioned. Writers on the plage give incontestable prooves that the plage has been
            communicated by parcels, boxes, and letters sealed or shut up during several years. The
            Contagion of the small pox is of the same nature.
          Some weaks ago, Lady Dowager Penn wrote a lamentable letter to the Princess dowager of
              Lichtenstein, (who has allways shown
            me civilities and frienship) in which she complains of the hardship of finding her
            husband’s possessions confiscated; and I belive she has endeavoured to find here some
            high protection or recommendation to mitigate her fate. If the Emperour’s protection or
            recommendation has been Sollicited, I should find it not unreasonable; but you will be
            surprised, that the Princess of Lichtenstein applyed to me, asking me in the most
            pressing way my endeavours, to obtain from you a recommendation in behalf of Lady Penn.
            I told her it was unbecoming in me to trouble you about Such thing, and that even you
            yourself could be of little use in the case, as those confiscations are made by the
            legislature in the Country it Self. As I Could by no means persuade her of the inutility of fulfilling her request, I was obliged, if I would not break with her,
            to promish her to write you in her name, and to sollicite your intercession. She has,
            she says, the highest opinion of your humanity and your moderation which you publikely
            show’d in recommending to congress the fate of all the Loyalistes. To Content her about
            me, I begg only to write in a line or two in your lettre some thing, I may Show her,
            that I may not be Suspected of having not fulfilled what I promis’d. You know the
            delicacy of people of superior rank. Remember what jule Cæsar say’d when king Ptolomie
            did send him the head of Pompeus as a compliment, when he arrived in Ægypt, after the
            battel of Pharsales.

            Aufer ab aspectu nostro funesta, Satelles!,
            Regis donæ tui . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
            . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . unica belli
            Præmia civilis, victis donare salutem,
            perdidimus. Lucanus

          I recieved as yet no answer from Sam. Wharton, nor any satisfactory account from mr.
            Coffyn of Dunkerque. However, as I understood from former informations of mr. Coffyn,
            that our goods were disposed of to a handsome profit, and
            as I can not believe that mr. wharton, a Senator of your Congress, a man of great worth
            and property, could become an infamous Sharper, I doe still expect getting Soon Som
            returns thro your hands. If they Should
            arrive, I should like to know your advise, whether I could not employ the money to a
            good intrest on Some American loans or in purchassing som peace of land in Mary land or
            near Philadelphia, which could be let out to advantage, on purpose to secure me some
            things in the new world if Common sense should fly from the old world. I can not believe
            what newspapers spread through Europe, that the American people are unwilling to contribute any thing to support public credit: tho I may very well
            believe, that your ennemies will not cease artfully fomenting dissensions, distress, and
            anarchy, to bring you back to your old rulers.
          I am very respectfully your most obedient humbl servant and affectionate friend.

            J. Ingen Housz
          I beg the favour to forward the inclosed by the penny post as
              soon as possible
            To his Excellency Benj. Franklin a Passy

          Endorsed: Aug. 15. 83.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Jebb, 15 August 1783
From: Jebb, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Sir
            15 Aug. 1783

          Mr. Baynes the bearer of this Letter
            has conceived that I am honoured with a share of your confidence & friendship—&
            has sollicited from me an introduction to you. I am at a distance from him—and if I were
            to assure him that I had only the pleasure of being twice in company with you when in
            England, he might imagine that I underrated the nature of my acquaintance in order to
            avoid performing an act of friendship which his virtuous attachment to the cause of
            freedom, & long acquaintance with me intitle him to expect. If you will excuse this
            act of presumption in me, you will receive him as a young man of excellent
            principles—modest in his deportment—& a sincere admirer of your character &
            virtues—
          I am with great respect your obedt. Servant

            John Jebb.

          Addressed: To / His Excellency /
            Benjamin Franklin / at Paris.
          Notation: Jebb Mr. John 15 Août
            1783.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 16 August 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, comte de

            Sir,
            Passy, Augt. 16. 1783

          I have the honour to inform your Excellency, that the English Ministry do not agree to
            any of the Propositions that have been made either by us, or by their Minister here; and
            they have sent over a Plan for the definitive Treaty, which consists merely of the
            Preliminaries formerly signed, with a short Introductory Paragraph, & another at the
            Conclusion, confirming and establishing the said preliminary Articles. My Colleagues seem enclin’d to sign this with Mr Hartley, and so to finish the Affair. I am, with
            Respect, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servant

            B Franklin
            His Excelly. the Count de Vergennes


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Séraphin-Guillaume Hooke, Chevalier de L’Etang, 17 August 1783
From: L’Etang, Séraphin-Guillaume Hooke, chevalier de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            a Paris Ce 17 aoust 1783 rue des   Blancsmanteaux au Marais.

          Le chier. de hooke Letang Mestre de Camp, attaché au Regiment de
            Berwick Irlandais Prie son Excellence Monsieur Franklin De Vouloir Bien Lui indiquer
            l’heure et Le jour ou elle pourroit Lui accorder une audience. Il a deja eu lhonneur De
            La voir et Desireroit Conferer avec Elle sur Les moyens De former un etablissement soit
            Dans La Virginie soit Dans La Pensilvanie. Il espere que son Excellence Voudra bien
            L’aider De ses Lumieres et agreer Les asseurances De son respect.

          Notations: De kooke.— / [In William Temple Franklin’s hand:] Appointed him, Thursday
            next at ½ pst. 10.—


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper Johonnot, 19 August 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Johonnot, Samuel Cooper

            My dear young Friend,
            Passy, Augt. 19. 1783.

          I received your Letter of the 14th. Instant, and am glad to hear of your safe Arrival
            at Nantes; it gives me Concern however to learn that you were too late for the Boston
            Vessel. If you had gone in the first Diligence after you came here, as I directed when I
            sent Lamotte with you to Paris to secure
            a Place for you, which you would not suffer him to do, you would have been at Nantes in
            time to have gone in that Vessel which sail’d but two days before you got there for
            Boston, and might now have been far on your Voyage, and have sav’d your Father all the
            Expence of your waiting for the Philadelphia Ship, and of the Journey from thence to
            Boston, which your Wilfulness must now cost him. You are yet too young to reject safely
            the Advice of your Friends. You should continue to comply with it till you are wiser,
            which I doubt not you will be in time. In hopes of which I am still Your affectionate
            Friend

            B Franklin
            Mr Cooper Johonnot

          Endorsed: Dr Franklin Passy Augt 19th
            Nantes Aug 26th


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Madame ——— Düeil, 19 August 1783
From: Düeil, —— de Gravellines
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Moncegneur
            a epernay le 19 aout 1783

          Sont escellance cerapelles [se rappellera] sandoutte que le 14 juilliet jeus lhonneur
            dele voir apasÿ et deluy aufrir duvin de chanpangne de mont Creux [mon Cru]. Monsieur le
            Compte de Mallebois qui citrouva, voulleu bien asurré sont escellance que je meritté sas
            [sa] Confiance et vous Mordonnate devous adressé un pannier de 60 bouttelles jes choisÿ
            Cellecy que les marchant devin duroÿ ont tachetté [ont achetées] pour labouche duprince
            et jay lhonneur de vous en nadresser un pannier de 62 bouttelles dont 50 de 1775 et 12
            de 1778 qui sont ettiquetté vous vous dret [voudrez] bien choisir Celluy qui vous plerat
            [plaira] pour une plus grande Cantitée sis Contre mont atante il ne cetrouvet pas
            avostre gouc [à votre gout] je vous ran veret [renverrai] dautre bouttelles dessé
            [d’essai] ayant a Coeur devous bien Cervir demeriteé vostre Confiance inis [ainsi] que
            celles detous Ce qui vous interesse aboston je suis en mes mes [à même] devous livreé
            tous Ce qui vous Conviendrat pour lamerique est autre lieux Commes vous latres [l’a
            très] bien dit Mr le Compte de Mallebois lafrance ayant fait un tretteé dalliance avec
            boston je cerret tres flatté dans [d’en] faire un de Commerce avec vous Monsieur et
            demeritté vostre Confiance vous trouveret en moy la franchize milliterre tenant a cest
            etta [cet état] de tous Cotteé Commes vous Ceriez peutetre enbarassé de mefaire par
            venir les fons de Ce pannier je chargeret Mr dueil directeur des nouvelles aux [eaux] de
            passÿ de recevoir lemontans [le montant] qui me ferat passé.
          Je recevré vos hordre [vos ordres] avec lerespect que vous mave inspiré et je noré rien
            tans a Coeur que daprandre que ce vin vous pleze degne [daignez] mefaire lagrasse
            demes’crire sis [la grâce de m’écrire si] vous en nette [en êtes]
            contans et agrez lasurance du profont respect avec lequel jay lhonneur detre Monsieur
            Vostre tres hunble et tres obeisante servante

            DÜEILfamme delaide major de
              gravellinesprez antemant aepernay en chanpangne

            Le pannier ariverat le 24 aout et part le 20 despernay il est
              Composé de 62 bouttelles qui a 50 sous labouttelles font 152 lt pour pallettes panier
              en palliage a clicer [clisser?] part bouttelles 413 sous total 156 lt 13 sous

          Notation: Dueil 19 Aout 1783


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 August 1783
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear & hond Sir.
            Nantes Augt. 19. 1783.

          The Situation of the american Merchants in France is not the Effect of the ill Conduct
            of any one but a general Consequence of the Peace, and I believe there is no Exception.
            Mr Grubb is one of us, and with a full
            Intention as well as Capacity to pay all, intends to apply for Letters of Surseance to
            prevent any little Creditor arresting his Property as it may arrive, to the prejudice of
            the others. In case any Reference should be made to you as to Mr Grubbs Character, I
            have pleasure in assuring you I think him an honest honourable Man, & I believe his
            Representations perfectly true.
          Mr Harrison who will present you this,
            has been some time with Mr Grubb with a View to improve himself in Commercial Knowledge. I reccommend him to you as a very worthy
            discreet & Sensible young man.
          I am as ever most dutifully & affectionately Yours

            Jona Williams J
            His Excellency Dr Franklin.

          Notation: Jona. Williams 19 Augt.
            1783.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Condorcet, 20 August 1783
From: Condorcet, Marie-Jean-Antoine-Nicolas Caritat, marquis de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Mon cher et illustre Confrere;
            Ce 20 Aoust [1783]

          L’academie m’a chargé de vous exprimer toute sa reconnaissance pour le beau present que
            vous lui avez fait. Elle verra avec
            plaisir dans sa biblioteque ce premier monument de L’histoire d’un peuple auquel les
            sciences auront un jour tant d’obligation, et cet ouvrage lui rappelera La part
            distinguée qu’un des membres a eue, à la plus grande revolution politique dont on ait
            Conservé La mémoire, et La seule qui ait eu La conservation des droits des hommes pour
            motif, et le bonheur du genre humain pour objet.
          Daignez, agreer, mon cher et illustre confrere L’homage de mon tendre attachement et de
            mon respect

            Le Mis. DE
              Condorcet

            M. fauchet ajusteur de La monnoie de Paris a entendu dire, Mon cher et illustre Confrere,
              que vous désiriez avoir en Amérique des ouvriers
              exercès dans la fabrique des monnoies. Il a plusieurs enfans et désirerait qu’un
              d’entre eux pût vous Convenir pour cet objet. Permettez-moi de vous le recommander. Si
              ce bruit est fondé et que vous désiriez avoir des eclaircissemens sur Le talent et La
              Conduite des enfans de M. fauchet, Ceux qui sont à la tête de La monnoie de Paris vous
              en procureraient don je crois que vous auriez Lieu d’être Content. Agréez encore une
              fois mon cher et illustre Confrere L’homage de mon tendre attachement.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Vicomte de Rochambeau, 20 August 1783
From: Rochambeau, Donatien-Marie-Joseph de Vimeur, vicomte de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            le 20 août 1783

          Le vcte. de Rochambeau a l’honneur d’Envoyer a Monsieur le Docteur
            franklin un livre que Monsieur Telles Dacosta a fait sur les bois. Comme il n’a pas l’honneur d’estre connu de
            Monsieur franklin il a este requis de le lui faire passer.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 21 August 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Laurens, Henry

            Dear Sir,
            Passy, Augt. 21. 1783.

          I do not doubt but you have written to some one or other of your Colleagues since your
            Arrival in England; and as we have heard nothing from
            you, I thought it necessary by a Line to inform you that none of your Letters are come
            to hand.
          After making and sending over many Propositions of ours & of Mr. Hartley’s, and
            long Delays of Answers, it is come finally to this, that the Ministers propose our
            signing as a Definitive Treaty the Preliminary Articles, with no Alteration or Addition,
            except a Paragraph of Preamble setting forth that the following Articles had been agreed
            to, & a concluding Paragraph confirming them. Thus I suppose the Affair will be
            concluded. Wishing Health & Happiness to you & yours, I am ever, with sincere
            & great Esteem, Dear Sir, Your most obedt humb Servt.

            B. Franklin
            Honble. H. Laurens Esqr

          Addressed: Honble. Henry Laurens Esqr /
            at / Bath / Per favour of Mr Hartley
          Endorsed: Doctor Franklin. Augt. 21st.
            1783. Receivd. 26th. Answd. 27th.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Nesbitt, 21 August 1783
From: Nesbitt, Jonathan
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Sir,
            Paris Augt: 21st: 1783

          I had the honor to furnish your Excellency a small Account, I think it was in the year
            1781, of some articles shipped by your orders for Mr. Richd Bache of Philada.— In the Letter which accompany’d the Account I
            mention’d my intentions of drawing for the amount, which however never was done;— Your
            Excellency will oblige me greatly by ordering said Account to be look’d for, and if it
            has been found free of Errors, I beg that you will send me an order
            on your Banker for the amount.— I mean
            to depart for L’Orient on Saturday morning, for which place, if you have any orders I
            shall be happy to execute them.— I have the honor to remain with great Respect—Sir Your
            most hble Servt:

            Jonatn: Nesbitt

          Addressed: A Son Excellence / Le Docteur
            Franklin, Ministre Pleni / potentiaire des Etats Unis de l’Amerique / a son Hotel. / a
            Passy
          Notation: Johath: Nesbitt Paris August
            21. 1783


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Félix Vicq d’Azyr, 21 August 1783
From: Vicq d’Azyr, Félix
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Monsieur
            21 aoust 1783.

          La societé Royale de medecine m’a Chargé d’avoir l’honneur de Vous adresser des Billets
            pour sa séance publique qui aura lieu le 26 de ce mois; elle Vous prie d’en agréer
            l’hommage et de Vouloir bien en Disposer.
          La societé toujours flattée lorsque Vous Voulez bien l’honorer de Votre Présence Vous
            prie d’assister à Cette séance. J’y Lirai l’Eloge de feu M Pringle Votre illustre
              ami. Ne sera-ce pas un motif de plus
            pour que nous aions le bonheur de Vous y posséder.
          J’ai L’honneur d’etre avec respect Monsieur, Votre tres humble et très obeissant
            serviteur

            Vicq
              DAZYR

            M franklin.

          Notation: Vicq-d’azir 21 Août 1783.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Graf von Brühl, 22 August 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Brühl, Hans Moritz Graf von

            Sir,
            Passy, near Paris, Augt. 22. 1783

          M. de Kempel, the ingenious Author of the Automaton that plays Chess, will have the
            Honour of putting this Line into the Hands of your Excellency; and I beg leave to
            recommend him to your Protection, not merely on Account of that wonderful Machine, but
            as a Genius capable of being serviceable to Mankind by more useful Inventions which he
            has not yet communicated.
            With great Respect, I have the honour to be, Sir,
            Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servant

            B Franklin
            His Excelly. Count Bruhl, Minister of Saxony


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph-Mathias Gérard de Rayneval, 22 August 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Gérard de Rayneval, Joseph-Mathias

            Dear Sir,
            Passy, 22. Augt 1783.

          Mr Carnes having informed me that my
            Application is necessary to his obtaining a Personal Safety or Sauf Conduite, in order to afford him the Time necessary to get the Consentment
            of his distant Creditors, to his obtaining Lettres de Sur-seances for the space of Six
            Months: I hereby request you would comply with his Request, not doubting but that he is
            worthy of the Goodness you are pleased to shew him.
          I have the honour to be, with great and sincere Esteem Dear Sir, Your most obedient
            & most humble Sert.

            B Franklin
            M. De Raynevalle


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 22 August 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Vaughan, Benjamin

            Dear Friend,
            Passy, Augt. 22. 1783

          This Line will be presented to you by a very ingenious Gentleman, M. Kempel, inventor of the Automaton that plays at Chess.
            He has other Inventions in Mechanics of a more useful Nature, which he has
            Thoughts of communicating in England, if he can meet with Encouragement. I beg leave to
            recommend him to your Civilities & Counsels, and am ever, with sincere Esteem &
            Affection, My dear Friend, Yours most truly

            B Franklin
            Mr. B. Vaughan


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Bruet, 22 August 1783
From: Bruet, the Comte de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            a paris le 22 aoust 1783.

          M. Le cte de Bruet a reçû avec la plus grande sensibilité
              lexemplaire que Monsieur franklin a eu
            lattention et lhonnetteté de luÿ adresser il luÿ en fait mile remerciements et il seroit
              bien flatté de trouver les occasions de luÿ en
            marquer toute Sa reconoissance.
          Mde de Bruet fait mille et mille Compliments a messieurs franklin et ne pouvent etre
            plus sensible a leur souvenir

          Notation: Le Cte. de Bruet


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from César Bucquet, 22 August 1783
From: Bucquet, César
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Monsieur,
            Paris quai Peltier Ce 22 aoust 1783

          Après un travail assidu de plus de trente années Je Suis parvenu a perfectionner la
            Mouture économique et a la faire Connoitre dans les Provinces ou elle étoit ignorée. Ce
            fait est Constaté tant par des Procès Verbaux qui ont eu lieu dans Ces Provinces que par
            le Rapport des administrateurs de l’hopital Général de Paris. Par Mes procèdés Cet
            hopital épargne annuellement des sommes Considérables. Je Ne Me Suis pas borné,
            Monsieur, au Seul objet de la Mouture économique, J’ai porté Mes Vuës Sur la
            Conservation des grains et farines, par des expériences Reïtérées J’ai enfin Reussi a les préserver de la Corruption qu’ils Contractent dans
            les Magasins ou pendant leur Transport soit par Mer soit par Terre. En Conséquence J’ai
            Cru devoir Consigner le Resultat de Mes expériences dans Ce Mémoire imprimé cy Joint.
            J’ai l’honneur, Monsieur, de Vous l’adresser et de vous prier de vouloir bien agréer Mon
            hommage.
          Je suis avec un profond Respect Monsieur Votre très humble Et très obeïssant
            serviteur

            Buquet

          Notation: Buquet 22. Août 1783.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Deux-Ponts, 22 August 1783
From: Deux-Ponts, Christian, marquis de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Sir
            Tugny near Reims August the 22d. 1783

          I put so much confidence in your Excellencys friendship to me, that I depend on your
            forgiveness, for the freedom I take, to beg of you the conveyance of the inclos’d to
            Chevr. La Luzerne which includes some Lines to my american friends. I shall be very
            particularly oblig’d to you for it and am with wery respectfull sentiments Your
            Excellencys Most obedient Servant

            De Deuxponts


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, 22 August 1783
From: Todd, Anthony
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear Sir,
            General Post Office August 22nd 1783

          This Morning Mr. Potts delivered to me your kind Letter of the 17th. Instant. I now inclose according to your desire without
              loss of Time a Copy of mine to you which you happen
            to have mislaid of the 25th. of June last, and I should be very much obliged to you for
            your opinion of the Matters therein as soon as it may be in your power, particularly as
            the French Packet Boats are to take place between Port Louis and New York in the Course
            of next Month.
          I thank you very much for your valuable and kind offer to assist any Person with your
            advice whom The Post Master General may send over to Paris with Instructions for
            settling such Points as respect the American Packet Boats both English and French and
            the Exchange of Letters conveyed by them.
          These and other Negotiations with the Post Office of Paris appear at present very
            properly to pass through the Hands of Mr. Maddison Secretary of our Embassy at
              Paris, who with the Approbation of the
            Secretary of State here, and of our Ambassader at that Court, will be induced to take
            Charge of them, and being my Nephew also, will engage you from my antient Experience of
            your Friendship to afford him every consistent Aid in Your Power and if You have an
            Opportunity to shew him this Letter you will oblige me very much, and I do assure You I
            remain with true Respect Dear sir Your most obedient and most humble Servant

            Anth Todd Secy

            I should imagine Mr. Foxcroft will remain at New York merely as Agent to the
              Packet Boats.
            Dr. Franklin Paris.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Gérard de Rayneval: Two Letters, 23 August 1783
From: Gérard de Rayneval, Joseph-Mathias
To: Franklin, Benjamin

          I.

            A Vsailles le 23. août 1783

          J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous mavez fait l’honneur de
            mecrire en faveur de Mr. Carnes; je
            pense que pour procèder en règle, il conviendroit que vous écrivissiez directement à Mr.
            le Cte. de Vergennes; ce ministre m’a parû disposé à accorder les lettres de
            Sauf-conduit à votre recommandation. J’ai lhonneur dêtre avec un sincere attachement
            Monsieur, votre très-humble et très-obeissant serviteur

            DE
              Rayneval

          Notation: De Rayneval 23 août 1785.—

          II.

            A Versailles le 23. aout 1783

          J’ai l’honneur, Monsieur, de vous renvoyer votre projet de traité
            deffinitif: Mr. votre fils vous aura sûrement rendu compte de mes observations
            concernant la manière dont l’article de la pêche est exprimée.
          Je joins ici copie de la recette pour la gravelle; je desire qu’elle vous Soulage; je
            desirerois bien plus, que vous ne fussiez pas dans le cas d’en faire usage.

          La demande [de] Mr. Williams sera raportée au Conseil des
            dépêches de Vendredy prochain.
          J’ai l’honneur detre avec un sincère attachement Monsieur votre très humble et tres
            obeissant Serviteur

            DE
              Rayneval

          Notation: De Rayneval 23 août 1783—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Conte di Scarnafiggi, 23 August 1783
From: Scarnafiggi, Filippo Ottone Ponte, conte di
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Ce 23. Août [1783]

          L’Ambassadeur de Sardaigne prie Monsieur Franklin de lui faire
            l’honneur de Venir Diner chez lui Jeudi 28. Août.

            R.S.V.P.

          Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur
            Franklin / En son hotel


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 23 August 1783
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            D & hond: Sir./.—
            Nantes 23 Augt: 1783./.—

          Inclosed is an Acct: of the Expenses of Master Johnnott including his passage to
            Philadelphia amouting to £752 l.t. 2.— for which I have this day drawn a bill on you in favour of Messr: Laval & Wilfelsheim. It was not possible to get his passage at a
            Cheaper Rate, though extravagant & unreasonable all have been obliged to Submit.
            Another Lad of the Same age of Johnnot has also been made to pay it. I thought best to
            Send him as there is no prospect of another Opportunity Soon & the Difference would
            be Soon Swallowed up in daily Expenses./.— I am as ever &c

            M Benj franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 24 August 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Cooper, Samuel

          <Passy, August 24, 1783: Recommends M. Bertaud, a surgeon, to
            Cooper’s> Notice and Civilities, and request you would assist him with your good
            Counsel & Advice. You will thereby much oblige, Dear Sir, Your most obedient &
            most humble Servant

            B Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes: Two Letters, 24 August 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, comte de

          I.

            Sir,
            Passy, 24. Augt 1783.

          Mr: Carnes, an American Merchant settled at Nantes, who has already presented your
            Excellency with a Petition requesting un Arrêt de Sur-seance, informs me that it cannot be complied
            with unless he first obtains the Consentment of a third of his Creditors; that in order
            to do this, his Presence is necessary at Nantes; but that his Liberty will be in danger
            if he has not a Personal Security from Government. I therefore take the Liberty of requesting your
            Excellency to afford him a Sauf-Conduitte ’till he can
            obtain the Consentment of the Majority of his Creditors, to his being favour’d with
            Lettres de Sur-Seance.
          I have the honour to be, with great Respect Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient &
            most humble Sert.

            B Franklin
            His Exy. Count de Vergennes

          Endorsed: M De R

          II.

            Sir,
            Passy, 24th. Augt 1783.

          Mr: Harrison, an American Merchant, who will have the honour of presenting this to your
            Excellency, is connected in the House of Grubb & Co. at Nantes,—who have sent him to
            Paris on Business similar to that of Mr. Carnes. He is well recommended to me as a worthy young
            Man, and I cannot but wish your Excellency to give him a favourable Hearing.
          With great Respect I have the honour to be Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedt & most
            humble Sert.

            B Franklin
            M. le Cte. de Vergennes

          Endorsed: M. De R.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Banks, 25 August 1783
From: Banks, Joseph
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear Sir
            Soho Square Augst. 25 83

          It was with regret & not without sensations of displeasure that I Learnd from Dr.
            Blagden in Conversation your not having receivd the Volumes of the Philosophical
            Transactions which as you had not appointed any one to receive
            them when they were publishd, were applied for in your name some months ago the Counil
            of the royal Society orderd them with the most perfect unanimity but I am not able to
            find that any one has since applied to the Clerk for their delivery.
          To Obviate all dificulties however I have taken them myself & deliverd them to Mr.
            Elmsley Bookseller in the Strand who has already dispatchd them for paris & I hope
            will have an opportunity of delivering them to you about the second or third week in the
            next month.
          For the future sir if you chuse to appoint Any one to receive them as publishd for you
            they will be deliverd on application I myself will willingly undertake that office if
            you will tell me by whose means they may be forwarded to you.
          We are anzious here to know the event of Mr. Montgolfiers experiment & that of his
            Competitor Should you be as much inclind to Philosophical Amusements as we wish you to
            be you may possibly find time to give me a Line concerning them. General Washington has we are told Cincinnatus
            like returnd to Cultivate his Garden now the emancipated States have no farther occasion
            for his Sword how much more glorious would it be for you to return to your more
            interesting more elevated & I will say more usefull pursuit of Philosophy the head
            of the Philosopher guides the hand of the Farmer to an more abundant Crop than nature
            & instinct or unguided reason could have producd he leads the sailor to riches &
            Luxuries which he brings home to his Countrey would I could see you abdicate the Station
            of Legislator to States whose internal turbulence will not I fear give to the Cool
            dictates of prudence & experience & return to your Friends here & to those
            Studies which raisd you formerly to a hight less elevated perhaps but I am sure far more
            satisfactory to one who loves peace & good will towards men
            than the Precipice on which you now stand.
          Adieu good Sir be assurd that while Friends of Philosophy exist you will have abundance
            here Few maybe more warm than Your Faithfull & Obedient

            Jos: Banks

          Addressed: Dr. Franklin / &c &c
            &c. / Passy / near Paris
          Endorsed: Sir Joseph Banks Balloons
            &c


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from [Edmund Burke], 26 August 1783
From: Burke, Edmund
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            Dear Sir,
            Beconsfield Augst. 26. 1783.

          My friend & Depu[ty? torn] a few days at Paris, & is extr[torn] =ly knowing you whom he has [torn] admiration. I approve very mu[torn] cannot
            refuse him the best [torn] it. I am not a little anxiou[torn] may have had in your regard [torn] revive myself in your re[torn] by introducing
            to your acquain[torn] worth & abilities. On this
              occ[torn] with some degree of Envy. [torn] the highest regard & Esteem Dr. Sr. y[torn]


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Pamphili: Observations and Note on American Catholics, [before 27 August 1783]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Doria Pamphili, Giuseppe

            [before August 27, 1783]

            I.
            Observations Sur la Notte de M. Le Nonce Apostolique

          M. Franklin après avoir lu la notte de M. Le Nonce et y avoir
            murement réflechi, croit absolument inutile d’envoyer cette notte au Congrés, qui
            d’après Ses Pouvoirs et Ses constitutions ne peut ni ne doit dans aucun cas Se mêler des
            Affaires Ecclesiastiques d’aucune Secte ni d’aucune Religion établie en Amérique. Chaque Etat particulier S’est reservé par Ses propres constitutions le droit
            de protèger Ses membres, de tolérer leurs opinions Religieuses, et de ne S’en mêler en
            aucune façon tant qu’Elles ne troubleroient point l’ordre civil.
          M. Franklin pense donc que la Cour de Rome peut prendre d’elle même toutes les mèsures
            utiles aux Catholiques d’Amèrique, Sans blesser les Constitutions, et que le Congrés ne
            manquera pas d’approuver tacitement le choix qu’Elle voudra faire de concert avec le
            Ministre des Etats unis, d’un Ecclesiastique françois toujours residant en france, qui
            conduira par l’entremise d’un Suffragant residant en Amèrique toutes les affaires
            Spirituelles des Catholiques qui vivent ou qui voudront S’établir dans ces Etats.
          Outre beaucoup de raisons politiques qui peuvent faire dèsirer cet arrangement M. Le
            Nonce Apostolique doit y en voir beaucoup d’autres qui peuvent être favorables aux
            intentions de la Cour de Rome./.

            II.
            Notte Sur les Catholiques Américains.
            La Revolution d’Amèrique Sèparant les interêts des Colonies de ceux
            de la Métropole, change ainsi les rapports qui lioient les Catholiques Amèricains avec
            ceux qui vivent Sous la domination Angloise. L’unité du gouvernement actuel Semble mème
            èxiger qu’on tende a diminuer et affoiblir ces Liaisons en ôtant toute influence au
            Ministère Britannique Sur les Sujets des Etats unis.
            Il n’existe dans la plupart des Colonies aucune fondation, aucun revenu fixe pour
            l’entretien d’un Clergé de quelque Religion que ce Soit, la Lègislation envisageant cet
            objet Sous le point de vüe d’une liberté plus gènérale, n’a point voulu faire une
            Surcharge publique d’une imposition qui pourroit n’être que volontaire et
            particuliere.
            Il n’existe point non plus de Collége ni d’ètablissement public pour l’instruction
            nècessaire à un Ecclèsiastique Catholique, voila deux points ègalement essentiels à
            considerer.
            Il existe en France 4. Etablissemens de moines Anglois dont le revenu total peut se
            monter à 50. ou 60 mille livres. Ces Moines Sont en petit nombre.
            La disette de Sujets rend ceux qui restent au moins inutiles.
            Il Seroit possible que le Roi de France pour complaire à la Cour de Rome et resserrer
            les liens d’amitié avec les Etats unis permit que ces ètablissemens Servissent à former,
            instruire et faire Subsister en partie les Ecclesiastiques qui Seroient employés en
              Amérique.
            Il conviendroit pour mieux remplir l’objet qu’un des Evêques nommè par le Saint Siége
            fut un Sujet du Roi residant en france, toujours à portée d’agir de concert avec le
            Nonce de sa Sainteté, et le Ministre Amèricain, et de prendre avec eux les moyens de
            former les Ecclesiastiques agrèables au Congrés et utiles aux Catholiques
            Amèricains./.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Duc de La Rochefoucauld, 27 August 1783
From: La Rochefoucauld, Louis-Alexandre, duc de La Roche-Guyon et de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

            ce 27. Aoust. 1783.

          Le Duc de la Rochefoucauld reçoit en partant pour sa Campagne les
            Exemplaires des Constitutions americaines que Monsieur franklin à la bonté de lui
              envoyer et qui sont en nombre bien
            suffisant.
          Il a appris avec chagrin son incommodité et il sera tres Empressé daller sçavoir lui
            même de ses nouvelles dans son prémier Sejour à Paris.

          Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur
            franklin, / Ministre Plénipotentiaire / des Etats unis d’amerique / a Passy.
          Notation: La Rochefoucauld