Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 24 August 1781
From: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
La Haie 24e. Août 1781.
Honoré des 3 vôtres du 6 au 16 court. [courant], je ne veux pas différer de vous en accuser la réception, en attendant que je puisse vous expédier une pour le Congrès, que je prépare, & dont le contenu vous plaira.— Ce que vous m’aviez marqué de la Boutique, n’a été dit qu’à des Patriotes assez honnêtes, pour convenir ingénument que vous aviez raison. Je leur ai communiqué aussi le correctif qui a suivi l’ordinaire d’après; & ils m’ont récompensé en m’apprenant, que l’emprunt qui a été proposé ici, de 5. mns., en faveur des E—— U——, est en Committé secret, & sera agrée. On sauvera seulement les apparences. Le proposant ignore que je sais tout cela; & je n’ai garde de m’en vanter. Voilà donc la Boutique qui va nous être utile, en dépit de ceux qui seuls sont cause de la triste figure qu’elle a faite jusqu’ici. L’Action du 5 de ce mois est effectivement très glorieuse pour les Acteurs, & un coup de partie, pour cette pauvre rep. [république] Elle fait lever la tête aux bons, & confond les méchants, en montrant que la Nations peut être encore tout ce qu’elle fut jadis, si on la laisse faire. Mr. De Linden a enfin présenté tout de bon sa fameuse Lettre à L. H. P. ses Co-Régents. Je l’ai vue en grande confidence il y a 15 jours; & ne suis nullement surpris de l’embarras qu’elle cause aux intéressés.
J’ai écrit, pour tâcher de soulager l’infortuné que vous me recommandez, avec les précautions nécessaires pour que ni vous, Monsieur, ni moi, ne soyions pas compromis. Un ami a écrit à Hanovre pour savoir le cas qui lui a fait quitter tout ce qu’il dit. Mais j’ai supprimé dans ma note tout ce qui pouvoit servir là à le découvrir & poursuivre.
Je joins ici une piece fort curieuse, qui m’a été communiquée. Vous aurez la bonté, Monsieur, de la mettre à part, pour la mettre dans la premiere Lettre que je vous ferai parvenir pour le Congrès.
On vient de me faire lire en confidence la Minute d’une très-belle Résolution unanime de l’une des premieres Cités d’Hollde. Comme on n’en a pas encore fait l’usage qu’on en fera, voilà tout ce que je puis en dire pour aujourd’hui.
Une Requête extrêmement bien conçue des Marchds. de Rotterdam, & diverses autres circonstances, concourent à faire espérer qu’il va paroître incessamment une nouvelle Escadre holl. dans la mer du Nord.
Je suis toujours avec le plus sincere respect & attachement, Monsieur, Votre très-humble & très-obéissant serviteur
D

P.S. J’ai bien déchiffré certain passage, qui m’a fait grand plaisir. La mesure est très-bonne, & peut venir à propos dans le temps qu’on y pense le moins.
  Passy à Son Excellence Mr. B. Franklin

Addressed: à Son Excellence / Monsieur B. Franklin / Min: Plenipo: des Etats unis / &c. / Passy./.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquise de Lafayette, [August 24 or 26] 1781
From: Lafayette, Marie-Adrienne-Françoise de Noailles, marquise de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

paris ce Dimanche 24 [August 24 or 26, 1781]
Mde. De La fayette offre ses tendres hommages, a monsieur franklin, elle a fait sa commission pour Mr. D’aguesseau, qui La assurée que Laffaire de m. Alexander, seroit jugée la semaine prochaine. Mde. De La fayette prie monsieur franklin de recevoir Lassurance des voeux bien sinceres, quelle forme pour Le suçcés dune affaire qui L’interesse. Elle Lui demande, a son tour, La permission, de Lui en reccommander une, qu’on dit etre fort interessante, et pour Laquelle on La prié de solliciter vivement ses bontés. Le memoire qu’elle joint ici, expose Le sujet de La demande, et mde. De La fayette na rien a y ajouter, que Lassurance du vif intêret quelle y prend et de La recconnoissance que Lui inspireront Les bontés de monsieur franklin, dans cette circonstance il sçait combien elle est touchée de celle qu’il veut bien lui temoigner, et combien elle y met de prix. Elle Le supplie de pardonner son importunité.

Notation: Mde. De la Fayette


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Parish & Thomson, 24 August 1781
From: Parish & Thomson
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir!
Hamburg 24th. August 1781.
It is with some degree of concern that we are now obliged to trouble you in relating a circumstance, which, if not put to rights, may tend, not only to hurt the Cr.[Credit] of our very worthy friend Mr. Ross of Philadelphia, but also that of the united States.
Knowing the friendly part you took in his concerns while in France, we hope our now addressing you will not be construed to our prejudice.
Mr. Ross, to whom Congress have made a partial payment out of a considerable Debt which they owe him, he has remitted us The Treasurer of the Loans dfts at 6 Months Sight. Bco. [Banco] f. 40958—on the Honl. Henry Laurens Esqr. at Amsterdam.
D 25782— at 6 months Sight on the Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Madrid.
Our friends in Amsterdam presented the Bills drawn on that place to the Honl. John Adams Esqr. representative at present from the united States—but he refused acceptance, promising to write you on the Subject.
Those on Madrid we have forwarded to our friends for acceptance—and as it is of the utmost Consequence for the Cr. of the States that this paper prove Effective, we have thought proper to give you this information, in case you may have it in your power to urge the payment of those on Holland.
There is a considerable property now in france, which was to have been shipt off on the strength of these remittances, but being thus circumstanced, we must wait your reply to this before we give our Orders for the shipment—and as they consist of Articles which are highly wanted by the publick, it will be a disappointment if they are kept back.
We have hitherto done every thing that lay within the narrow Scale of our abilities, to favour the Interest of our common Cause, and we flatter ourselves they have not been unacceptable on some Occasions—possessed of every inclination still to do our part as far as alloted to us, we shall on this matter’s being properly cleared up by you chearfully go on in forwarding the Interest of our constituents.
We request the favour of your reply and are with the most profound respect Sir! Your most devoted humble Servts.
Parish & Thomson

Inclosed we send you a packet which came to our hands by the arrival at Marstrand from Philadelphia—
His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr. Minister Plenipotentiary from the united States of North America to the Court of Versailles.

Notation: Thomson 24 Augt. 1781.


Title: William Temple Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 24 August 1781
From: Franklin, William Temple
To: Williams, Jonathan Jr.

Mr: Williams,
Passy 24 Augt 1781
I received my dear Friend, your Letters of the 19 & 14 Inst. The Bills contain’d in the Letter shall soon be return’d you. Those contained in former Letters I have regularly sent you back, accepted or barr’d. More underwent the latter Fate than I believe you expected. It is yourself only that is to blame, for instructing me in registring the Bills in so good a method, that two of the same sett cannot possibly get accepted.
I communicated the Contents of the 9th. to Mr. Young. He setts off this Evening to join you. I have a notion he will be useful & agreable to you.
My Grandfather has accepted within this Day or two, a Draft of yours on him for 4100 Livres but as he has no Advice from you concerning it, he desires you will let him know on what Account it is Drawn.
I have been long expecting to receive from you the Invoice of the Utensils sent to England, & of which you know a Part was lost at the Douain. This Paper is necessary for me to have before I can sue for what is missing.
I beg therefore you will loose no time in forwarding it.
(7 oClock P.M.) Your 2 Letters to my Grandfather of the 17 Inst are just now recd. The Error in your Acct. which occasioned the Draft before mentioned shall be examined into.
M. de Fleury, at my Grandfather’s Solicitation, is to replace what was lost in the Marquis de la Fayette, & forward it to Congress. It would be useless to give him your Proposition, as the Muskets will naturally be provided by those who are accustomed to serve the King, or else taken out of his Stores.
My Grandfather is rejoiced to be perfectly clear of this Business, & will on no Pretence meddle the least with it.
Pray how does Capt. Robeson stand with you? has he any money in your Hands? I have lent him out of my shallow Purse, 11 Louis. Do you think I am safe in Lending him more, should he ask it of me?
Adieu
WTF—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 25 August 1781
From: Adams, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Amsterdam August 25. 1781
Last Evening I received your Excellencys Letter of the 16 of this month, accompanied with a Letter from the President of Congress containing the Commissions you mention.
You desire to know what Steps have already been taken in this Business. There has been no Step taken, by me, in Pursuance of my former Commission, untill my late Journey to Paris at the Invitation of the Comte de Vergennes who communicated to me certain Articles, proposed by the Mediating Courts and desired me to make such observations upon them, as should occur to me. Accordingly I wrote a Number of Letters to his Excellency of the following Dates, July 13. inclosing an Answer to the Articles, 16 18 19 21:— I would readily send you Copies of the Articles and of those Letters, but there are matters in them, which had better not be trusted to go so long a Journey, especially as there is no Necessity for it.
The Comte de Vergennes, will readily give You Copies of the Articles and of my Letters, which will prevent all risque.
I am very apprehensive that our new Commission, will be as useless as my old one.— Congress might very safely I believe, permit Us all to go home, if We had no other Business, and stay there some Years, at least untill every British Soldier in the United States is killed or captivated. Till then Britain will never think of Peace, but for the Purposes of Chicanery.
I see in the Papers, that the British Ambassador at Petersbourg has received an Answer from his Court to the Articles.— What this answer is, We may conjecture from the Kings Speech. Yet the Empress of Russia, has made an Insinuation to their high mightinesses, which deserves Attention.—perhaps you may have seen it: but lest you should not, I will add a Translation of it, which I sent to Congress in the time of it, not having the original at hand.
“The affection of the Empress to the Interests of the Republick of the United Provinces and her desire to see re established, by a prompt Reconciliation, a Peace and good Harmony, between the two maritime Powers, have been Sufficiently manifested by the Step which she had taken, in offering them her Seperate Mediation. If She has not had the desired Success, her Imperial Majesty, has only been for that Reason, the more attentive, to Search out means capable of conducting her to it. One Such means offers itself, in the combined Mediation of the two Imperial Courts under the auspices of which, it is to be treated at Vienna (il doit etre traité, a Vienne) of a general Pacification of the Courts actually at war. It is only necessary for the Republick to regulate itself in the Same manner. Her Imperial Majesty, by an Effect of her Friendship for it, imposing upon herself the Task of bringing her Co Mediator into an agreement, to Share with her, the Cares and the good offices, which She has displayed in its favour. As Soon as it Shall please their High Mightinesses, to make known their Intentions, in this regard to Mr the Prince de Gallitzin, the Envoy of the Empress at the Hague, charged to make to them the Same Insinuation, this last will write of it, immediately to the Minister of her Imperial Majesty, at Vienna, who will not fail to take with that Court, the Arrangements which are prescribed to him, to the end to proceed in this affair, by the same formalities, which We have made use of with the other Powers. Her Imperial Majesty, flatters herself, that the Republick will recieve this overture, as a fresh Proof of her Benevolence, and of the Attention which She preserves, to cultivate the Ties of that Friendship and of that Alliance which subsists between them.—”
I must beg the Favour of your Excellency, to communicate to me whatever you may Learn, which has any Connection with this Negotiation, particularly the French Spanish and British answers to the Articles, as soon as You can obtain them.— In my Situation, it is not likely that I shall obtain any Information of Consequence, but from the French Court. Whatever may come to my Knowledge, I will communicate to You, without delay.
If Britain persists in her two Preliminaries, as I presume She does, what will be the Consequence. Will the two Imperial Courts permit this great Plan of a Congress at Vienna which is publick and made the common Talk of Europe, to become another sublime Bubble, like the armed Neutrality? In what a light will these mediating Courts appear, after having listened to a Proposition of England, so far as to make Propositions themselves and to refer to them in many publick Acts, if Britain refuses to agree to them? and insists upon such Preliminaries as are at least an Insult to France, & America, and a kind of Contempt to the common Sense of all Europe.
Upon my word I am weary of such round about and endless Negotiations, as that of the armed Neutrality and this of the Congress at Vienna.— I think the Dutch have at last discovered the only effectual Method of Negotiation, that is by fighting the British Fleets, until every Ship is obliged to answer the Signal for renewing the Battle, by the signal of distress.— There is no Room for British Chicanery in this.— If I ever did any good, since I was born, it was in stirring up the pure Minds of the Dutchmen, and setting the old Batavian Spirit in Motion, after having slept so long. Our dear Country will go fast to sleep, in full Assurance of having News of Peace by Winter, & if not by the first Vessel.— Alass! what a Disappointment they will meet. I believe I had better go home and wake up our Countrymen, out of their Reveries about Peace.— Congress have done very well to join others in the Commission for Peace, who have some faculties for it. My Talent, if I have one lies in making War.— The Grand Segnior, will finish the Proces des trois Rois sooner than the Congress at Vienna will make Peace, unless the two Imperial Courts, Act with Dignity and Consistency upon the occasion, and acknowledge American Independency at once, upon Britain’s insisting on her two insolent Preliminaries.
I have the honor to be &c

Notation: J. Adams Augt. 25. 1781


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from George Little et al., 25 August 1781
From: Little, George
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Caen Augst. 25th. 1781
We the Subscribers have taken the Libberty to Inform your Excellencey that we have made our Escape from forton prision, by Crossing the Channell In a Small Oppen Boat, after being Plundered, from us all our money and Cloaths, and now Lay to the goodness of the people hear as they Seem verey kinde, and Advises us to wait here till we have and Ansr. from you how to proceed, for the Best of our way to America as being publick Officers of the Sate of Massachusetts Bay— Captured May the 5 by the Roebuck 44 Guns & Medea of 28 Guns In the State frigate Protector, John Foster Williams Esqre Commander Carried In to New York were we were put on Board the prision Ship, after few days on board they made a press on board for Arburthnot fleet were they Carried a way two Hundred and Eight Americans and the remainder on board the fleet bound to England—whilst we were on board the Guard ship at New York Arrived three flaggs from Boston one from philadelphia and one from New London with About five hundred prissioners and Not a Single American returned— and Sent the flaggs Empty Were they were Indebted to Us for prisioners of a Considerable number— We ware sent to porstmouth In the Thames frigate. We shall wait hear till Your Goodness will think It proper to give us Dirrections how to proceed were we Remain Your Humble Servts.
George Little 1t. Lieut. the State ship protectorSamuell Wales Capt Merreins DoClemt. Lemon Master DoAlexd Storey Master of the Ship Jack Priveteer from SalemIsaac Collins mate of the Litermarqu Ship Ulysses from Boston
Our Commissions have been Examined hear and Officers of the Admarility Is Sattissifyed with the same.

Addressed: The Honourable Benjn. Franklin/ Esqr./ Paris
Notation: Prisoners


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Nixon, 25 August 1781
From: Nixon, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Valogne August 25th. 1781.
Though I cannot boast of the Honour of any Acquaintance with your Excellency, yet I am no Stranger to your Character so honourably distinguished as well for Learning & useful Discoveries, as for those uncommon Abilities & Accomplishments, which so eminently adorn the Philosopher, the Statesman & the Ambassador.
I beg Leave to congratulate your Excellency on the very great Success, with which God has been pleased to bless your Endeavours in promoting a Cause of more Magnitude than the Rights & Liberties of thirteen great States for latest Posterity & many & distant Nations will undoubtedly reap the Fruits of your glorious Contest, & venerate the Defenders of the Rights of Mankind. Can this be doubted, when Ireland has already experienced it’s happy Effects in so great and unexpected a Concession as a free Trade? Ireland indeed had Reason to tremble for her Fate, had America’s noble Exertions been unsuccessful, for what Power could then set Bounds to the Tyranny, the Pride, and the Avarice of great Britain? But Heaven has changed so gloomy a Prospect. When America unexperienced in War and without an Ally boldly declared it’s Independence, and stood forth a glorious young Champion for the violated natural Rights of Generations yet unborn; even then I entertained the most lively & steady Hopes that the great Disposer of Empires would in the End crown with Success her truely arduous Enterprizes because, Imperium semper a minus bono ad optimum quemque transfertur, nor did it to me seem by any Means possible, that Empire, which has shifted her Seat so often, and in Succession visited the Assyrians, Medes, Persians, Grecians, Carthaginians, Romans and which has, at different Periods, dwelt in so many different Habitations in each of the other three Quarters of the World, should never vouchsafe to fix her Residence in America, which seems so much more adapted by Nature & Magnitude for Independence & the Government of Nations than any other Place on Earth. It appears much more probable that the Revolution of Empire will follow the diurnal Revolution of the Sun, and as She has risen in the East, finally terminate in the West, but I fear I have trespassed too much on your Time, Cum tot sustineas, et tanta negotia solus, in publica commoda peccem, si longo sermone morer tua tempora.
I have been ordained a Priest in the Church of Ireland as by Law established, & though I’m very sensible of my own Imperfections, yet I humbly hope that, were I in America, my poor Mite would not be altogether useless to her glorious Cause. The Situation of Ireland & other Obstructions prevented me hitherto from indulging my Inclination to go to America, which I always wished to do since the Beginning of the War, but since Providence has so ordered that I’m now in France nothing could prevent me from setting out for America, as soon as I will obtain Liberty, only that I have been deprived of the Means of undertaking such an Enterprize, by being taken by a Privateer on my Passage home from England, & brought into Cherbourg on the 15th. instant, and thence to this Town where I remain on Parole. As honest Distress is always a Recommendation to the truely noble & being induced by the Amiableness of your private as well as publick Character, I have taken the Liberty of submitting both my Situation & Wishes to your Excellency.
I hope that your Excellency will do me the Honour of accepting the inclosed little Book a part of my poor Endeavours to be of some Use to my Fellow creatures. I beg your Excellency’s Pardon for this Trouble, and have the Honour to be, Sir, your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servant
William Nixon
To his Excellency Dr. Franklin.

Notation: Wm. Nixon. Augt. 25. 1781


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Chanson, 26 August 1781
From: Chanson, Pierre
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur,
Kehl, ce 26 août 1781.
Comme vous ignorez, peut-être, qu’il existe deux imprimeries dans kehl, celle de m. de beaumarchais et La mienne, j’ose prendre la liberté de vous offrir mes très-humbles services, dans Le cas où vous auriez quelque ouvrage à produire au grand jour. Versé comme je suis (soit dit sans vanité) dans toutes les langues, il me sera moins difficile qu’à tout autre de me plier à vos idées. Je n’ai L’honneur de vous connoître, monsieur, que de réputation; mais la haute estime que tout Le monde vous accorde, et que vous méritez à tant de titres, m’enhardit à vous offrir mes services, en vous assurant qu’aucun imprimeur ne vous traitera plus favorablement que celui qui a L’honneur d’être avec respect, Monsieur, votre très-humble et obéissant serviteur,
CHANSONimprimeur-libraire à Kehl,près strasbourg, à Kehl.

Notation: Mr. Chanson 26 Augt. 1781


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to George Little et al., 28 August 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Little, George

Gentlemen
Passy Aug 28. 1781
I received your Letter of the 25th Instant, acquainting me with your Escape from Forton Prison in England, and your happy Arrival in France in an open Boat, on which I congratulate you. The best Advice I can give you, is to proceed immediately for L’Orient, where there are generally Vessels belonging to America, in which you may find a Passage. I inclose you a Passport, and wish you a safe and speedy Return, and a happy Sight of your Friends and Country. I am, Gentlemen, Your most obedient and most humble Servant
B Franklin

Messrs George Little
}
Americans lately escap’dfrom England & new atCaën in Normandy

Samuel Wales

Clement Lemon

Alexr Storey &Isaac Collins


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bancroft, 28 August 1781
From: Bancroft, Edward
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Chaillot 28th. August 1781.
Of all the goods which I have at different times sent to America above four fifths were long since paid for. I was however under the necessity some time ago of accepting Bills for about 10,000 Livres on acct. of the residue of these goods (consigned to Mr. Wharton), & I had then no doubt, but I should in time have received abundant means of paying them, either from him, or from Mr. Holker & others, who ought to have before this remitted me near 200,000 Livres. No remittances have however yet Come & my Bills have fallen due—fortunately I have been able either to pay or settle all excepting one, which is in the hands of a Stranger, & which I cannot settle unless I can borrow about fifteen hundred Livres. When I think of the numerous Applications, for money to which you have been exposed, it gives me infinite Pain to think of adding to the number; nor would I entertain the Idea of it a moment, was not the necessity into which I am fallen (contrary to all my expectations,) so very urgent, & was I not also fully perswaded that the time cannot now be long, before it will be in my Power to replace that Sum, if you will have the goodness to lend it to me; and in the mean time I will lodge Ample Securities with you. I am so strongly averse from applications of this nature, that I had determined two or three years ago never to expose myself even to the possibility of being Obliged to trouble my friends any more in this way, & certainly if I could have foreseen the smallest risk of those delays which have occasioned my present embarrasment, no consideration should have engaged me to extend my Adventures so far. I flatter myself however that this will be the last trouble of this nature which I shall give, & I beg you will have the Kindness to excuse it, & believe me always Dear Sir Your most respectful & Affectionate humble Servant
Edwd. Bancroft

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats / Unis &c en son Hotel / a / Passy.
Endorsed: Private
Notation: Dr. Bancroft 28 Augt 1781.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, August 28[–September 7] 1781
From: Morris, Robert
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Philada. 28th. August[–September 7] 1781.
Herewith I send you No. 1 & 2. Triplicates of my Letters of the thirteenth and fourteenth July last No. 3 & 4, Duplicates of my Letters of the nineteenth and twenty first of July last. I have not yet executed the Plan mentioned in mine of the twenty first of July of drawing Bills on you for Reasons which it is not necessary to enumerate at present.
Since my Letter to you of the eighth of June last I have found it necessary to apply to the Minister of his most Christian Majesty in this Place to direct another of five hundred thousand Livres with Messrs. Le Couteulx & Co. and I am now drawing Bills for that Sum wherefore I must pray your Excellency to take Measures that they be put in Cash to Answer my Drafts— Altho I have no Doubt that this will be done on the Chevalier de la Luzernes Application yet as his Letters may miscarry or other unavoidable Misfortune happen I take this additional Precaution because it is of the utmost Importance to the United States that these Bills be duly honored.
The last Advices from Europe inform us of Mr Neckars Resignation or Removal which Occasions much Speculation as to the Causes which produced this Event. I should be glad to hear from you on that Subject.
We learn from Boston the Arrival of the frigate Magicienne with a large Store Ship laden with Cloathing &ca. for the United States another Store Ship put back to Corunna as is said having been dismasted in a Gale of Wind. If this be so it is a loss which will be more easily supplied than that of the Fayette which Ship we are now informed was taken and carried into England.
Colo. Laurens’s Embarkation on Board a frigate for this Place with Money is also announced, and I hope she will spedily arrive. The Boston Account of the sixteenth of August mentions the arrival of the Magicienne in fifty Days. If Colo. Laurens had then sailed he must now have been out sixty two Days which is a very long Period for a single Frigate to be engaged in that voyage— If that Frigate arrives safe with five hundred thousand Dollars which is as I am informed on Board of her it will releive me from many very great Difficulties which I have now to struggle with, and give a much better appearance to our Affairs as it will enable us to operate with far more Vigor and Activity.

It is now a very long Time since we have had any Tidings of Mr. Adams. We have indeed been informed (tho not from himself) that he had opened a Loan for a Million of Florins: but we are much in the Dark as to the Success of it as well as many other Particulars relative to his Situation which would be very interesting.

September 7th. 1781.
Since writing the above Letter Colo. Laurens has come to this City from Boston at which Place he arrived in the Resolu with the two Store Ships under her Convoy after a Passage uncommonly tedious. It is certainly unnecessary to mention how great Pleasure we have received from this Occurrence.
Another equally pleasing is the Arrival of the Count de Grasse in Chesapeak Bay on the thirtieth of August with twenty eight Sail of the Line to wit one of one hundred and ten Guns three of eighty four Guns nineteen of Seventy four Guns four of sixty four Guns and one of fifty. The Count de Barras sailed from Rhode Island on the twenty fourth so that probably he has before this made a Junction with the Count de Grasse altho he had not on the thirty first of August— A Detachment of about seven thousand Men is on the Way to Virginia of which about two thousand five hundred were at the Head of Elk yesterday: As many more must have arrived there by this Evening and the Remainder to Morrow. There are landed from the Fleet three thousand Men and we are told these will receive an Addition of one thousand five hundred Marines besides the Army under the Command of the Marquis de la fayette which was before in Virginia and consists of about five thousand including the Militia. My Lord Cornwallis was entrenched at York in Virginia with five thousand Men. General Washington takes the Command of the Southern Army in Person. The Fleet under the Count de Grasse took on its way a Packet from Charlestown to Great Britain on Board of which was Lord Rawdon— From this Combination of Circumstances you will perceive that we have Reason to flatter ourselves with the Expectation of pleasing Occurrences.
With the greatest Respect I have the Honor to be Sir Your Excellency’s most obedient and humble Servant
RM
His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 29 August 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric

Dear Sir
Passy, Augt. 29. 1781
I have just receiv’d yours of the 24th.—which I read with Pleasure.
This serves to recommend to your Notice and Civilities the Bearer Dr Foulke, a young Physician of Philadelphia, of excellent Character, who travels for Improvement in his Profession. I recommend him earnestly to your Civilities, and request you would introduce him to such Physicians of your Acquaintance whose Conversations may contribute to increase his Knowledge. I wish him among other things to have an Opportunity of seeing your Hospitals, which are admirable for their Order and Cleanliness. I am ever, with great Esteem and Affection, Dear Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant
B Franklin
M. Dumas

Endorsed: Passy 24e. Août 1781 S. E. Mr. Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to François Willem de Monchy, 29 August 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Monchy, François Willem de

Sir,
Passy, near Paris, Augt. 29 1781
I remember with Pleasure & Thankfulness the Civilities I received from you when I formerly visited Rotterdam in company with Sir John Pringle.—
The Bearer of this, is a young Physician of Pennsylvania, who travels for Improvement in his Profession. As he will be quite a Stranger in Holland, I take the Liberty of introducing him to you, believing you will have Pleasure in giving him such Counsels, & communicating to him such Lights, as may render him more serviceable to his Country.—
I send by him some Pieces of my Writing, which have been collected and printed in England. I wish they were more worthy the Acceptance of our Batavian Society, which I hope continues to flourish.— With great Esteem & Respect I have the Honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Sert.
B Franklin
Dr de Monchy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Thaxter, Jr., 30 August 1781
From: Thaxter, John Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir,
Amsterdam August 30th. 1781.
I have the honor to acquaint your Excellency that Mr. Adams has been much indisposed for three weeks past with the fever of this Country, and is now so ill with it as to be confined to his Bed, and unable to write. In a few days however it is probable that the Violence of the Fever will abate. In the mean time, he has desired me to advise your Excellency that he has recieved Information, that the British Government are endeavouring to make secret Contracts by their Agents with the Americans for Masts, Yards and Bowsprits, of which they are in want, and for which they offer very great Prices.
He submits it to your Excellency’s Consideration, whether it would not be proper to consult the French Court on this Occasion to know whether they would have any Objection to Congress’s laying an Embargo on the Exportation of those Articles.— Mr. Adams is of opinion, that if an Exportation of them is permitted, those Agents will find methods to accomplish their End, and give effectual Aid to the British Marine at this Juncture.
I have the honor to be, with the greatest Respect, Sir, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant
John Thaxter.
His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr.

Notation: 30 aout 1781.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 1 September 1781
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear & hond sir.
Nantes sept. 1. 1781.
I hope you will not think me troublesome by requesting you to forward the Inclosed to Mr de Fleury with a short Letter informing him who I am and your Opinion of my Capacity & Probity.— I have the maintenance of my Family to think off and I wish by my own Labours to rise in the World. It is not therefore extraordinary that I should seize every Occasion to exercise my Industry. If the Government accept my services you may depend I will make them satisfied with my Conduct if it is possible to satisfy them, and surely it must be the same thing to them who provides the Cloathing &c if the Commission is well and faithfully executed. I therefore believe Mr de Fleury would employ me if you would favour me with your Reccommendation. You know how exact Congress have been in giving their Orders, and I trust you will not think me too presuming when I say I am better acquainted with the kind of Goods suitable for them as well as for america in general than any man who is not an american can be.— You have already laid me under Obligations which I shall never be able to repay, I am endeavouring however to shew my Gratitude by turning all the Business I can to Mr Baches house and have already procured him something handsome.
I beg you will favour me with this additional Favour and believe me to be with the highest Respect Your dutifull & affectionate Kinsman
Jona Williams J

Notation: Jonathan Williams Sept 1. 1781.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to St. John de Crèvecoeur, 2 September 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Crèvecœur, Michel-Guillaume St. John de

Sir,
Passy, Sept. 2. 1781
I received the Letter you did me the honour of Writing to me the 27th past, relating to the 5 Americans who landed on your Coast from England. Please to accept my Thanks for your Kindness to them. There is no doubt of the Success of their Petition relating to their Boat, the same Case having happened several Times, and such Requests always readily comply’d with by the Goodness of the Duc de Penthievre. I receiv’d a Letter from those Gentlemen some Days before yours came to hand, desiring my Advice how they were to proceed: I answer’d it immediately advising them to go to L’Orient, where they would find American Vessels, in which they might return home. They did not express any Want of Money, and therefore I suppos’d they had sufficient; but if it should have fallen short, and you have been put to Expence in supplying them with any Necessaries, I will readily pay the Acct. I am much oblig’d by your Offer of Continuing your kind Offices towards our People who may hereafter arrive in your Parts. The Congress lately sent out a Consul General for France, with Power of Appointing Sub-Consuls in the different Ports. The Vessel was unfortunately lost with all on board: But it is probable his Place will soon be supply’d. On his Arrival I shall acquaint him with your generous Proposition. With great Regard, I have the honour to be Sir
M. St. John, chez M. Le Mozier, Marchand, Rue St. Jean, a Caën, Normandie.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Gregory, 3 September 1781
From: Gregory, Stephen
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Cherbourg 3th. of september 1781
I hope your Exellency will Excuse the Neglect of Duty as a Continental officer for not writing to you Before, it was throu Ilness I Did not write, fore I kep room Ever since I Landed here from England, which it was 27th. of August Last. I’m a Lieut of the Confederacy fregate Seth Harding Esqr. Commandr Send home to England to be Confin’d; Likewise the Capt the Marines & one Lieut of marines, & greatest part of the Petit Officers, as for the Rest of Ships Lieut, were Exchang’d, as for my Been send away; was I think: Owing to that, of my Been franchman Born, for I Can’t account for any thing Ells, for I saild out of amirica Near fifteen Years, & have the honor of Been in the Cause of America Ever Since the first Shot was fired againt the king of england. I Propose to take the Rhod for paris & wait on your Exellency, soon as Ever I’m Able to Stir, I hope in the Main time, that Your Exellency will Remember a Commision’d Officer by Congress if their is any ship of war for the service of the united states of america Being the first one entitled if no officer older than me on the Spot.
I Remain your Exellencys must Devoted Hble. Sert.
STEPHEN Gregory Lieut

Addressed: To / His Exellency Benjm Franklin / An American Ambassador— / at / Paris
Notation: Stephen Gregory sept 3. 1781


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Cottin fils & Jauge, 4 September 1781
From: Cottin fils & Jauge
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
Paris le 4. 7bre 1781.
Nous avons l’honneur de vous prevenir qu’on nous à renvoyée de Lorient pour en obtenir le remboursement de votre part, une 4e. Lettre de change par Vous acceptée de 1000 l.t. en 200. Dollars, tirée d’amerique par Mr. Hopkinson le 30. Xbre. 1780. à 90. Jours de Vue, ordre W. alricks & Ce, Vüe le 12 may der. & par Consequent Echue le 20. aout, Laquelle vous avés laissé protester faute de payement, par ce que Mrs. J.f. frin & C porteurs de la 1re. de cette traite ont fait opposition entre Vos mains à L’effet d’en Suspendre lacquit, Vu quils presument que l’effet quils ont entre les mains doit etre payé de prefference. Nous ne Voyons pas trop pourquoi, & pourquoi ils veulent que cette 4e. ne Soit pas aussi valable que la 1re. dont ils sont porteurs— Il nous semble pourtant que la 4e. acceptée par vous, et que Mrs. Jn Nesbitt & Ce. tiennent directement d’amerique, de la part de Mrs. W. alrick & C, Ne doit pas etre equivoque, n’y celui de ces deux effets, qu’on soubçonne de fausseté dans les Endossements; puisquil n’a pas passé à St. Eustache ou l’on Croit que ce double employ Se seroit Commis. Aureste Monsieur, Mrs. Jn. Nesbitt & C etant des personnes connues, & vous payant icy à Une maison egalement connue, Nous ne presumons pas que vous Courriés le moindre Risque à acquitter votre accepon. Malgré L’opposition, a laquelle vous devés etre moins assujeti qu’un negociant en Prenant ce parti vous eviteres le renvoy indispensable autrement, En amerique, ou une pareille demarche pourroit faire grand tort au Credit. C’est pourquoi nous ne renverrons pas cet effet à Lorient Jusques a ce que nous ayons eu de vos nouvelles à ce sujet, et que vous ne nous ayés fait part de votre derniere Resolution. En attendant Nous avons l’honneur d’etre avec la plus parfaitte Consideration Monsieur Vos très humbles & très obeissants Serviteurs
Cottin & FILS Jauge
Mr. Le Docteur Franklin, ministre Plenipotentiaire des Etats unis d’amerique. En son Hotel à Passy

Notation: Cotin & fils Jauge, Paris 4. 7br. 1781.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Remy d’Autun, [after 4 September 1781]
From: Autun, Remy d’
To: Franklin, Benjamin

In early February, 1781, Jonathan Williams, Jr. wrote Franklin a letter of introduction for John Shaffer, a young Philadelphian newly arrived in Nantes with a sum of money to purchase goods. He came from a well-respected family, carried an enthusiastic recommendation from Robert Morris, and, as he told Williams, intended to stay in Paris only long enough to see the city. He did more than tour the capital, however. Shaffer became involved, possibly unwittingly, in a financial deal that turned out to be a swindle, and on September 4 (shortly before his planned return to Philadelphia) he found himself in jail.

Shaffer’s trouble seems to have started in April, when he joined forces with one “Augustus Bernard.” Bernard represented himself as the commander of the lugger Hazard, for which he had obtained a privateering commission on October 6, 1777. Shaffer bought a share of the Hazard, and on April 20, 1781, he signed a bond for the ship, witnessed at Passy by William Temple Franklin and L’Air de Lamotte. Shaffer was the sole signatory. Bernard, who is listed on the bond as joint owner, must not have been present when the bond was issued. Later documents, summarized in our annotation below, suggest that he was at Le Havre where the Hazard was in port.
On his own in Paris, therefore, Shaffer then transacted the business that seems to have been the object of this venture: selling the Hazard, which was falsely advertised as being fully equipped and ready for sea. Or so claims the irate buyer in the present letter, the first in a series of documents that reveal a complicated story of deception. By the time this incident is brought to a conclusion, in late October, the buyer, M. d’Autun, claims to have learned that the incriminating “evidence” he mentions in the present letter was faked, and that Shaffer was innocent.
But the question remains: to what degree was d’Autun aware of— or even a participant in—Shaffer’s being framed (if indeed he was)? As letters arrive at Franklin’s door during the months of September and October and the evidence mounts, the story becomes less straightforward and the relationships among the principals less clear. Shaffer, in his initial letter to Franklin, alludes to his adversary as d’Autun Le Sage. His partner “Bernard” may in fact be the Frenchman “Benard.” Shaffer’s own lawyer, Lombard, refers to the Hazard’s co-owner not as “Bernard” but rather as “Morice,” who was represented at the sale by his proxy, sieur Edeline. A certain “Augustin Morice” turns up in Le Havre at the moment of the sale, when Bernard is also thought to be there; he is in the company of the scoundrel William Williams. We have not been able to entirely disentangle this confusion of roles and identities.
In 1783 Shaffer was again arrested for fraud. This time the case was so clear, Shaffer’s excuses so transparent, and his demands so annoying, that Franklin very nearly turned his back. When he did finally ask Vergennes for Shaffer’s release, the doctor recalled this earlier scrape in his summary of the convict’s career. Shaffer had fallen “into the hands of a Set of Sharpers, and being a young Man of very weak Understanding, having neither Good Sense enough to be an honest Man, nor Wit enough for a Rogue, though with a strong Inclination, they first cheated him, (as he complained to me,) and then join’d with him to cheat others.” According to a victim of this later fraud, the “sharpers” were none other than Edeline and the author of the present letter, Remy d’Autun.

  [after September 4, 1781]
  A Son Excellence le Ministre plenipotentiaire des etats unisde l’amerique pres la cour de france

Remy Dautun Ecuyer negotiant demeurant à Paris Cloître st. Oportune a l’honneur de representer a Votre excellence qu’il a eté forcé d’implorer le secours de la justice contre un habitant de Philadelphie qui a employé diverses manoeuvres a l’aide desquelles il est parvenu a lui enlever une somme Considerable.
Pour ne point abuser des momens trop pretieux de Vôtre excellence il n’entrera pas dans tous les details de cette affaire malheureuse.
Il Vous exposera seulement que jean Shaffer se disant officier ameriquain s’est introduit chéz lui sous le pretexte de lui vendre un navire armé en course qu’il lui annonça garni de tous ses agrés apporaux provisions et munitions.

Le prix Convenu à 60,000 l.t. l’acte de Vente fut passé devant les notaires du châtelet à la suitte duquel est un etat detaillé de ce qui composoit le navire et le prix en fut compté.
Pour sureté de cette Vente et du deficit qui pouroit se trouver dans les objets designés Shaffer affecta specialement un cutter quil annonça egalement lui appartenir et dont il avoit prudamment Vendu le tiers au Sr. D’autun.
Celui-ci daprés la Vente partit pour le port du havre oú etoit Le navire Vendu a l’effet de l’envoyer en course.
Verriffication faitte du navire et d’aprés les procés Verbaux dressés tant par l’huissier que par un ecrivain de la marine il se trouva un deficit de prés de 30,000 l.t. il se presenta des fournisseurs qui repettoient la majeure partie des objets trouvés existans; le monde Composant l’equipage fit apparoitre des sentimens obtenus contre Shaffer qui le condamnent a payer des indemnités montantes à peu prés a 7000 l.t.
Demaniere que le Sr. Dautun se trouve avoir payé 60,000 l.t. un objet dans lequel son Vendeur n’avoit peut être pas 4000 l.t.
Voulant se Venger sur le Cutter il prit des informations et fut instruit qu’il n’appartenoit point a Shaffer et ne lui avoit jamais appartenu.
Trompé aussi fortement le S. Dautun de Retour a Paris se disposoit a Reclamer contre son vendeur les sommes q’uil lui avoit payées lorsq’uil apprit que celui-ci etoit à la Veille de repartir pour Philadelphie.
Alors il a rendu plainte a fait informer des faits et a obtenu de la justice un decret en vertu duquel Shaffer a ete constitué prisonnier le quatre de ce mois au Grand Châtelet.
La Correspondance prouve que la fraude a eté commise de dessein premedité et qu’il prenoit plaisir a tromper la nation françoise qu’il apostrophe d’une maniere indecente dans ses lettres.

Le Sr. Dautun avant de Recourir à la Voye judiciaire auroit Sollicité de Vôtre Excellence la justice qui lui est due et que Vôtre credit et Vôtre autorité peuvent lui procurer si le depart trop prochain de Shaffer ne l’avoit forcé a sassurer promptement de sa personne.
Si Vôtre Excellence desire des details plus particuliers sur cette affaire le Sr. Dautun les lui soumettra aux premiers ordres et il espere qu’elle fermera jusque la L’oreille a toute Reclamation de la part de L’accuse le Sr. Dautun fait Vôtre excellence juge absolu de sa cause et la laisse maîtresse de disposer de ses interets./.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Nixon, 5 September 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Nixon, William

Revd Sir,
Passy, Sept. 5. 1781
I duly received the Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me the 25th past, together with the valuable little Book of which you are the Author.— There can be no doubt but that a Gentleman of your Learning & Abilities might make a very useful Member of Society in our new Country, and meet with Encouragement there either as an Instructor in one of our Universities, or as a Clergyman of the Church of Ireland: But I am not impower’d to engage any Person to go over thither, and my Abilities to assist the Distress’d are very limited. I suppose you will soon be set at Liberty in England by the Cartel for Exchange of Prisoners; in the mean time if Five Louis d’ors may be of present Service to you, please to draw on me for that Sum, & your Bill shall be paid on Sight. Sometime or other you may have an Opportunity of assisting with an equal Sum a Stranger who has equal need of it. Do so. By that means you will discharge any Obligation you may suppose your self under to me. Enjoin him to do the same on Occasion. By pursuing such a Practice, much Good may be done with little Money.— Let kind Offices go round. Mankind are all of a Family.—
I have the honour to be Revd Sir,
Revd Mr Wm Nixon an English Prisoner on Parole at Valogne.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Besse, 5 September 1781
From: Besse, Jacques
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur,
A Kehl le 5 7bre 1781
Je n’ai reçu l’honneur de votre Lettre que le 21 d’août & si je ny pas répondu plutôt, c’est que je n’ai pu trouver de traducteur qu’à Strasbourg. Je ne Suis pas le Seul dans cette manufacture qui se plaigne du retardement des Lettres; nous en cherchons infructueusement les causes, c’est pourquoi, Monsieur, si jamais vous voulez bien me procurer l’honneur de votre correspondance, Je vous serai obligé dadresser vos Lettres à M. Berard, Directeur de l’imprimerie de Mr. Levrault, imprimeur de l’intendance. On ne peut être plus agréablement flatté Monsieur que je ne l’ai été en recevant votre Lettre, quelle exactitude & quelle bonté se trouve dans cette chere Lettre: elle m’est précieuse Je vous assure, Monsieur, & mes remercimens ne peuvent exprimer que faiblement le Sentiment de reconnoissance & d’amitié que J’ai pour vous.
Il est un article qui regarde l’impression des plans des villes qui se font sur de la toille; vous me faites l’honneur de me dire que ces plans se gravent sur du Cuivre; cette gravure se fait-elle en relief comme nos vignettes? ou en taille douce; de plus vous me parlez d’une Blanchement, qu’on m’a dit être de la glue, & cette glue avec de la farine tient lieu d’encre. Ma curiosité me porte, envers vous, un peu trop loin puisqu’elle me force à vous demander quelle espece de glue on se Sert & si on la prépare avant que de s’en Servir.
La colophane, que j’ai mis a l’epreuve dans le vernis d’imprimerie fait a merveille puisquelle donne à l’encre le degré de siccité qu’il faut quelle ait nécessairement; c’est un trouvaille dont on vous est redevable & qui est dun grand secours pour cette imprimerie. Quoique je n’aye pas lieu de me plaindre d’être venu dans ce pays-ci, Je ne vous cache pas que j’ai un regret infini d’avoir quitté Paris au même instant que j’ai eu le bonheur de vous connoître. Si jamais, Monsieur, je pouvois avoir l’honneur de vous être attaché que je Serois content; vous me verriez a découvert pour bien de petites idées, qui, avec un peu d’argent, pourroit produire de grands effets. Par exemple je Suis à même de faire faire une roue de verre, qui, je crois, par son méchanisme doit avoir un mouvement de rotation, a ne s’arrêter qu’à la destruction de la machine même. Je ne sais pas, si je puis reussir, Le nom que je pourrai donné a cette machine; Le mouvement perpétuel m’est passé par la tête, mais les difficultés que tant de personnes bien plus instruits ont eu, me met en défiance, & me fait croire que Je n’y parviendrai pas; ma raison combat cette défiance & me met à la gêne au point, Monsieur, que mes appointemens de 1200 l.t. sont employés à cela à mesure que je les touche. Croyez, Monsieur, si jai le bonheur de réussir, que vous serez le premier a qui j’aurai l’honneur den adresser une, & si quelque chose peu flatter mon amour propre c’est l’esperance d’avoir cette satisfaction. J’ai l’honneur d’être Monsieur avec le plus profond respect Votre très humble & très obeissant serviteur
Besse

P.S. l’édition de voltaire n’est commencée que depuis mon arrivée ici, il peut y avoir 8 ou 9 feuilles de faites.

Notation: Besse 5. 7bre. 1781.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, 5 September 1781
From: Jenifer, Daniel of St. Thomas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Phila. Sepr. 5th. 1781
This Letter will be delivered to you by Coll. Dubuysson, an Officer of distinguished Merit and who has bled freely in the cause of America and wishes to return to it. I shall be obliged to you for your friendship and Attention to him.
Enclosed you have a Letter from me to your old friend & acquaintance Governer Sharpe, which I beg you will Seal and forward to him as soon as possible: His Interest is much concerned by the information it contains.
I have the honor to be with the highest Sentiments of esteem & respect. Dear Sir Your most Obedient Servant,
Dan. OF S Thos Jenifer

Addressed: His Excellency / Docr. Benjamin Franklin / Minister Plenipoteny at the Court of Verseilles / from the United States of America


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Augustin-François-Hugue Macé de Vaudoré and Other Commission Seekers, 8 September 1781
From: Macé de Vaudoré, Charles-Auguste-François-Hugue
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Between May 1 and October 31, 1781, nine people write to apply for commissions in America or Europe, or to recommend someone else. Of these, two have already served in America and we print the letter from one of them, dated September 8, immediately below.
L’Ecluze de Vieux Chatellet writes on May 28 from Quimper, where he is known simply as “L’ecluze de vieux Châtel.” Although his father, formerly with the judicial system, had intended him for a legal career, he himself has always favored a military one, and in 1778 signed on as a lieutenant with the coast guard cannoniers. Alas, this service he finds too tranquil for his youth and while it is disgraceful to seek service abroad, such sorrows are short-lived when one finds a country “aussy affable et aussy Bien policée” as Franklin’s. Once he hears from Franklin, people of merit and distinction will write on his behalf, including his commander, who is sorry to see him continue to waste his youth.
Daran d’Arcaignac, writing from Armentières in Flanders on June 6, is more cautious. He has long desired to serve Franklin’s brave compatriots, but being the only son of a distinguished cavalry captain, a chevalier de Saint Louis, he asks Franklin’s support before he presents his plan to his parents. The honor of requesting letters of recommendation for Congress will come once he has his parents’ permission.
De Heiss de Schwartzenberg, a cavalry captain in the Royal-Allemand regiment, discharged, writes on June 20 from Schwartzenberg, near Haguenau (Alsace), for what he says is the fourth time. He has served France since 1758 and has good certificates which he will forward on request. He would consider it a true pleasure and an honor to serve the King’s allies on the condition that he be allowed to retain his French pension, enjoyed since 1763, and that the Americans accord him a higher rank than he now has. In a postscript he adds that he knows German as well as French, and that he still has at least another twenty years of service in him, being only forty years old. He is of good health and constitution, and has been ill only once in his life.
On July 4 MacCarthy More, a major in the infantry à la suite de Boulogne sur Mer, writes that he was an infantry captain with the rank of major in the Clare regiment when they were incorporated into another Irish regiment, Berwick. This merger slowed his own advancement which determined him to retire. He chafes at his inaction but has no one at court to protect him. Franklin can verify his fitness by checking his records at the Bureau de la guerre. He asks for confidentiality until they have had a chance to confer. In a postscript, in English, he assures Franklin that he is able to read a reply in English.
Josephe de Mayer’s letter of July 16 from Konstanz, translated from German into French by Ferdinand Grand, is a plea from a twenty-two year-old Swiss, five feet five inches tall and handsome. Though destined by his parents for a religious vocation, he has always yearned for a military career. He spent nine months as a novice under a governor chosen by his parents, but when it came time for him to enter the priesthood, his conscience rebelled and he renewed his pleas to enter the military. Fifteen days later, without telling him, his parents enrolled him as a volunteer in the Swiss Guards at Paris. They told him that henceforth he was to make his own fortune and that they wished to have nothing further to do with him: “ils me sont a peu près comme morts.” Captain de Frey has had the good fortune to make his way with Franklin’s recommendation and Mayer asks the same for himself: to procure from his majesty a commission in the Swiss Guards at Paris, where he will arrive in four weeks. He asks also for a recommendation to the commander, and if Franklin will take the place of his father, he will be grateful to him his whole life.
About to embark at Bordeaux for the American continent, on August 28, Cossé de Rayssac implores Franklin’s protection. He desires a position with the land or naval forces; either will do since the campaigns fought under his prince have made him familiar with both services, and he is now disposed to sacrifice his days to monseigneur’s country.
Damalix, avocat en la cour, recommends a cousin for American service. The parents are well respected at home where the father was mayor of Champlitte (Franche Comté) and an officer of the parlement in Burgundy. His cousin, twenty-eight years old, five feet four inches, is in France now only because he was captured at Savannah and burns to rejoin Franklin’s compatriots. Damalix asks for a time when he may present his cousin and his own “hommage de Mon admiration Et celui Du plus juste Respect.” His letter is dated September 5 at Paris.
The final and most discreet request is written from Versailles on October 1 by the chevalier de Rayber. Would Franklin kindly tell him if he yet desires subjects with good certificates and of solid background. His address is at the office of the comte d’Artois’ Swiss troops, care of Mr. de Bournonville, chef du bureau.

Nantes ce 8. 7bre. 1781.
Le Sieur, charles, augustin françois hugue Macé De Vaudoré ancien Lieutenant au Service de france au regt. de bourgogne infanterie, quitta En 1778. Son Employ pour aller offrir Ses Services aux Etats unis de L’amerique quil agréere, Et a depuis ce Moment Ete toujour Employé comme aide de camp du colonel armand. Marquis de La rouëry, faisant Le Service de Capitaine dans Sa Legion.

Dans Lespace quil à passé à Lamerique à toujour Ete Employé, Sest trouvé en Septembre 1779 à L’enlevement dun piquet à quinbrigs [Cambridge], au Mois de novembre de La Mesme année, commandant un piquet de dix dragons à passé aux Ennemis à huit heures du Soir Se rendit à chester ou il Enleva dans son quartier Le Major bermor [bermov?] Et Six offrs, En 1780 Le 16 aoust Sest trouvé à La battaille de camdon ou il à perdù tout ce quil avait. Le Sieur de Vaudoré n’est revenû En france que pour retablir Sa Senté Et naspire que de retourner courir de nouveau hazard pour La cause Commune, jespere que votre Exellance aura La bonté de Sinteresser pour moy, et de presenter au Ministre le memoire que jay Lhonneur de vous adresser, afin dobtenir La comission de capitaine et une gratification pour retourner en amerique soyez assure de toute ma reconnaissance et du respect profond avec lequel jay lhonneur detre Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres obeisant Serviteur
Macé DE Vaudoréofficier des Etatsunis de Lamerique
Vous voudrez bien me renvoyer Le sertifiquate sijointA Son Ecellance Exellance Le Docteur frankin Envoyé des Estats unis de Lamerique

Notation: Vace de Vandoré, Nantes 8. 7bre. 1781.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— de Nanteuville, [c. 8 September 1781]
From: Nanteuville, —— de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
[c. September 8, 1781]
Jay l’honneur de vous prevenire que lameriquin chez qui etoit le jeune negre que vous avez depuis plusieurs jours, chez vous, le faits cherché, et que toutes la marechausé est chargé de lareté, tachez de ne pas le laissez sortire de chez vous que la dite personnes ne soit party pour sans retourné ils doit partire incessamment ils le Seroit mais ils Compt retrouvé son neigre au paravant, jay lhonneur destre monsieur votre tres heumble et obeissant serviteur
DE NANTEUVILLE

Addressed: à Monsieur / Monsieur de frankielin / maison de monsieur de / chaumont / à passÿ / pres paris
Notation: De Nantenville


Title: William Temple Franklin to William Robeson, 8 September 1781
From: Franklin, William Temple
To: Robeson, William

Dear Sir,
Passy Sept 8. 1781
My last was of the 3 Inst. to which I beg leave to refer you.
This serves merely to inclose an Acct: of Mr. Raymonds for yourself & Servant. Montgomery has at last taken my advice & is come to live here. He is very desirous of hearing from you: & I think you had best not delay sending for him, or he may be inticed away from you. He has already had several advantageous Offers made him; which tho’ he did not accept, yet he seem’d inclined; & at one time wanted my Consent, giving me for Reason, that he was tired of being idle. I however dissuaded him from taking such a Step. Dispatch on your Part may prevent his leaving you. I have advanc’d him 12 Livs. to by him shoes & Stockings, which I doubt not you will approve.
I am Dr. Sir &ca—
Capt. Robeson


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from François-Pierre de Séqueville, [after 8 September 1781]
From: Séqueville, François-Pierre de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[after September 8, 1781]
  La Cour prendra le Deuil le 1er. octobre, à l’occasion de la mort du Prince charles maximilien de Saxe. Sa Majesté le portera 15- jours.
De SEQUEVILLESecrétaire ordinaire du Roi,à la conduite deMrs. les Ambassadeurs.

Addressed: a Monsieur / Monsieur francklin / ministre Plenipre des Etats / unis de L’amerique / Septentrionale / a Passy ./. De sequeville


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Gérard de Rayneval, 9 September 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Gérard de Rayneval, Joseph-Mathias

Sir,
Passy Sept. 9. 1781.
I have just received under Cover the inclosed Pacquet.
I beg your kind Attention to the Papers I send herewith, relating to Passports.
You will see by our latest Gazettes, which I inclose, a better Account of the Affair between the Marquis de la Fayette and Lord Cornwallis than we have hitherto had. Please to return them to me when you have done with them.

With the greatest Esteem, I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient and most humbble Servant
B Franklin
M. De Raynevalle


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Mademoiselle ——— Defay, 10 September 1781
From: Defay, Mademoiselle ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
Paris 10 7bre 1781
Je pars de paris pour Notre Manufacture avec la joie que me donne lEsperance de vous y recevoir Monsieur.
Cette Maison Etablie depuis plus de quarantte ans sous la protection de Monseigneur le Duc dorleans En recevera un nouveau Lustre Et dont le prince protecteur qui En sera informe comme des premiers avis que vous avez bien voulue me donner vous En saura grés.
Mr. holker vôtre ami Monsieur Et qui a des vües sur Cette Entre prisse Ma assurée de toutes votre protection.
Cest dans Cette Confience que josse vous prie Monsieur de vouloir bien ne me pas oubliez.
Si vous me faitte la grace de men faire prevenire jenveree a la poste qui précéde Montargis Et notre Manufe. ou a tel Endroit quil vous plaira mindicquer.
Jay lhonneur dEstre avec la plus respectueuse reconnoissance Monsieur Votre tres heumble Et tres obeissante servantte
Defayde present En sa Manufe.de papier A Montargis

Notation: De Fay 10 sep. 81.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Gérard de Rayneval, 10 September 1781
From: Gérard de Rayneval, Joseph-Mathias
To: Franklin, Benjamin

A Versailles le 10. 7bre. 1781
J’ai bien des remerciements a vous faire, Monsieur, pour les gazettes que vous avez bien voulu me communiquer: je savois deja par les raports de M. le Chr. de la luzerne, que les fanfaronades de M. Cornwalis etoient faites sur le même moule que celes de l’amiral Rodney.
Quant aux papiers relatifs aux passeports, je présume que votre intention est que je les mette sous les yeux du ministre; je rempliroi vos intentions après demain. Je pense que l’on feroit bien de communiquer les lettres de M. Rob. Morris.
J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec un trés parfait attachement, Monsieur, votre très humble et tres obeissant serviteur
DE Rayneval
M. franklin

Notation: Rayneval Versailles 10. 7bre. 1781.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 10 September 1781
From: Jay, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
St Ildefonso 10 Sep. 1781
My last to You was of the 20 Day of Augt last by Dupin the F. Embassadors Courier.
Major Franks, with dispatches from Congress & from Mr. R Morris, is now with me & will proceed to Passy as soon as I shall be enabled to write by him.
He will bring you a Copy of Mr Morris’s Letter to me from which you will see the present State of American Finances, and the Measures he is prosecuting to ameliorate them &c &. My former Letters mentioned my apprehensions that many more Bills had been drawn upon me than those for which the Sum you authorized me to drawn upon you for wd. satisfy.
Near seventy thousand Dollars will be wanted to pay those which have since arrived, and tho I cannot think it improbable that Provision may here be made for at least a part of that Sum, yet the Delays which usually attend operations of this Kind render it highly necessary that occasional Resources be elsewhere had.
This Consideration so far as it applies to the Payments to be made in the two succeeding Months obliges me again to recur to You.
The sanguine Expectations entertained by our Country from the Appointment of Mr. Morris, his known abilities Integrity & Industry, the useful Reformations he has begun, & the judicious Measures he is pursuing abroad as well as at Home, afford Reason to Hope that under his Direction american Credit will be reestablished, and the Evils which have long threatned us on that Head, avoided.

It would be useless therefore to remark how important it is to prevent our Credit from recieving a deep additional Wound at the very Moment when so much is doing to recover it. The Protest of any of our public Bills for want of Payment wd. at this Period be more injurious than heretofore, and unless again saved by you, that cruel necessity must take place with Respect to those on me. Besides, as the singular Policy of drawing Bills without previous Funds will now be relinquished, We have Reason to flatter ourselves that we shall in future have no Embarrassments of this Kind to struggle with. I am well persuaded that Mr. Morris will not pursue such hazardous & unprecedented Measures, and therefore as in all human Probability His present Difficulties will be all that we shall have to surmount, I hope you will think with me that the utmost Exertions shd. be made for the Purpose, and that after having done so much to save the Credit of american Bills you will be still disposed to do every thing in your Power to put it out of Danger.
When it will be in my Power to replace the Sums drawn from you, is hard to divine. All I can say or do, is, to assure you that nothing but want of ability shall delay or prevent it.
When I consider how much might have been saved had my Bills on you been sold to those who would have taken them on the best Terms, I cannot forbear thinkg it wd. be adviseable to give me only general authority to draw for such Sums as I may want not exceeding the one you may limit.
The Sum wanted for October is 12,567 Dollars— and for November 3,600—
I particularize only the payments due in those two Months because before the first of December I hope my Expectations from other Quarters will at least be ascertained. I am Dear Sir with great & sincere Regard & Esteem your obliged & obt Servt.
His Excy Dr Franklin

P.S. The Marquis DYranda has recd a Letter from Mr. Grand informing him that no more Bills are to be drawn upon you by me without your further Order, I am a little at a Loss to determine whether this Restriction is intended to extend to the Ballance wh [which] remains of the 25000 Doll. allotted for the payment of the Bills at two months Sight and for which I was only to draw as occasion might require.
Lest my having refused to accept some Bills drawn upon me by Congress shd. give Rise to Reports prejudial to their Credit, I transmit herewith Enclosed a State of that Case, you will be pleased to make such Use of it as Circumstances may render necessary. I gave a Copy of it to the Gentleman who presented the Bills, and desired that it might be recited at large in the Protest—

Notation in Jay’s hand: To Doctr Franklin 10 Sep. 1781 sent by post sent Dup. 14 Do. by Embrs. courier


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Lamarque, Fabre, & Cie., 10 September 1781
From: Lamarque, Fabre & Cie.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monseigneur
Paris ce 10. Septembre. 1781.
Daprès les ordres réçus hier de Votre Excellence nous nous sommes rendus à L’hôtel de Mr Amelot qui l’attendra demain à Midy & nous la supplions d’avoir la bonté d’exposer à ce Ministre la triste position dans laquelle nous nous trouvons, que par les Traittes & billets de M Gillon elle a reconnu que La Province de La Caroline est garante, qu’il n’y avoit rien a perdre & que la somme qui nous est due par M Gillon & qui solderoit tout ce que nous devons, par le deffaut de rentrée nous force de recourir aux bontés du Roi pour obtenir un arrêt de surséance d’un an.
Par la requête & lexposé de notre situation remis chez Mr Amelot il est prouvé que ce que nous devons n’émane que de ce qui nous est du par M Gillon & qu’en sus notre actif se porte à 117000 l.t. en bonnes ou dettes douteuses.

Nous osons esperer, Monseigneur, des bontés de Votre Excellence qu’elle honorera de sa bienfaisance les créanciers de M Gillon & qu’elle voudra bien se rendre demain à Midy chez M Amelot qui l’attendra en étant prevenu.
Nous sommes avec respect, Monseigneur, Vos très humbles & très Obéissants Serviteur
Lamarque FABRE Rue st Bon

Notation: Lamarque Fabre sept 10. 1781


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to [Antoine-Jean Amelot de Chaillou], [11 September 1781]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Amelot de Chaillou, Antoine-Jean

[September 11, 1781]
Departure without paying them a very considerable Sum, due for Goods purchased of them by him for the State of South Carolina; and they have desired me to certify, that the said Capt. Gillon was duly authorised by that State to purchase Goods for the public Service thereof. In Compliance with their Request, I beg leave to acquaint your Excellency That I have seen the written Powers given by the said State to the said Captain Gillon, and that they appeared to me to be authentic and in due form; and if the Goods purchased of Lamarque fabre are of the kind ordered, such as clothing for the Troops, Arms, Ammunition, & the like, there is no Doubt but the State will hold itself obliged to pay for them. The Enemy being at present in that Country, and in Possession of the Capital, may occasion some Delay; and these marchands may suffer greatly by that Delay. If therefore no Reasons appear to your Excellency, that make the granting them a Surseance improper, I wish they may obtain that Favour.
I am, with Respect, &c.
La Lettre cy dessus a été envoyée en François.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Witherspoon, 11 September 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Witherspoon, John

Revd. Sir
Passy, Sept. 11. 1781
I have received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 15th. of June last. I had before received that which you mention, sent me from the Committee of Foreign Affairs, and had immediately written to London to procure your Son’s Liberty, and to have him supply’d with Money. I have now the Pleasure to inform you that I have this day receiv’d an Answer from thence, acquainting me that he is discharg’d, and that he has been furnish’d with the Money he required and intends immediately to leave England; so that I hope you will soon have the Pleasure of seeing him. My Grandson will acquaint you with the Steps he has taken respecting the Letter of Credit you enclos’d to me. With great Respect I have the honour to be
Revd. Dr Witherspoon


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Morris, 12 September 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Morris, Robert

Sir,
Passy, Sept. 12. 1781
I have received your Letters of July 13, 14, 19, & 21. all at once by Way of L’Orient. The Originals of those you mention to have sent by Major Franks, are not yet come to hand, nor have I heard of his Arrival in Spain.—
Your Letters of June 6 & 8. were remarkably lucky in getting to hand. I think I have receiv’d 7 of the Copies you had the Precaution to send of them. I inclose Copies of my Answers.—
I have now the Pleasure to acquaint you that I have obtained a Promise of the Sum I wanted to pay the Bills I had accepted for the Purchases made in Holland. So that your supplying me with Remittances for that purpose, which I requested, is now unnecessary, and I shall finish the Year with Honour. But it is as much as I can do, with the Aid of the Sum I stopt in Holland; the Drafts on Mr Jay & on Mr Adams much exceeding what I had been made to expect. I had been inform’d that the Congress had promis’d to draw no more Bills on Europe after the Month of March last, till they should know they had Funds here: But I learn from Mr Adams that some Bills have been lately presented to him, drawn June 22 on Mr. Laurens who is in the Tower, which makes the Proceeding seem extraordinary. Mr Adams cannot pay those Bills, and I cannot engage for them. For I see by the Minutes of Congress you have sent me, that tho’ they have stopt issuing Bills drawn on the Ministers at Madrid & the Hague, until they shall be assured that Funds are provided for paying them, they have left open to be sold those drawn on their Minister at Versailles. Funds or no Funds, which in the Situation you will see I am in by the Letters of M. de Vergennes, terrifys me: For I have promised not to accept any Drafts made on me by Order of Congress if such should be after the Time abovementioned, unless I have Funds in my Hands, or in View to pay them. After its being declar’d to me that such Bills could not be provided for, and my Promise not to engage for them, it will be impossible to ask for the Money if I should accept them; And I believe those Bills of Mr Ross must go back protested.— The projected Loan in Holland has of late some Appearances of Success. I am indeed told, it is agreed to by the States. But I do not yet think it so certain as to venture or advise the Venturing to act in Expectation of it. The Instant it is assured, I will send you Advice of it by every Opportunity; and will from time to time send Parts of it in Cash by such Ships of War as can conveniently take it.—
I cannot write to you fully by this Opportunity. I will not however delay acquainting you, that having the fullest Confidence in your Assurances of enabling me to pay them, I shall chearfully accept your Bills for 400,000 livres.
Capt. Gillon has sail’d from Holland without taking under his Convoy the two Vessels that were freighted to carry the Goods purchased by Capt Jackson in Holland. There has been terrible Management there: And from the Confusions in the Ship, before & when she sail’d, it is a question if she ever arrives in America.
They are hard at work here in providing the Supplies, to replace those lost in the Marquis de la Fayette.
With best Wishes of Success to you in your new Employment, and Assurances of every Aid I can afford you, I am, Dear Sir,
Robert Morris Esqr


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from François Steinsky, 12 September 1781
From: Steinsky, François
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
Prague le 12 7bre 1781.
Il faut bien d’hardièsse pour ècrire a l’homme le plus renomé de ces temps aussi bien comme savant, que politique; et ce seroit insolence que de l’incomoder d’une lettre assez indifferante pendent qu’il est accablé des affaires de la plus grande importance; mais je l’ose parce que Vous l’avez bien voulu permettre: Ecrivez MOI QUAND VOUS AUREZ ACHEVÉ VOS VOYAGES, ce sont la Vos paroles. Je suis cet étranger de Prague qui avoit le bonheur cet hyver passé de passer quelques moments dans votre chére conversation, et à qui Vous aviéz la bonté de donner des lettres de recommendation pour l’Italie; il est juste que je Vous en rende compte.
Lorsque j’arrivois a Florence, mon Banquier aussi ami de Mr Martinelli me conduisoit chez lui; nous le trouvions malade assis dans un fauteuil, la nouvelle de Vous le sembloit egayer, et c’étoit avec un vrai plaisir, qu’il reçut Votre lettre avec le livre, dont il avoit deja un exemplaire.
Mais par rapport de ce livre: moi pressé par la curioseté, j’avois parcourru les traités philosophiques, et je les trouvois aussi beaux, aussi importants comme tout ce qu’a paru de Votre main. Ce que Vous dites de l’Atmosphœre de la terre surpasse beaucoup tout ce qu’en étoit dit, je le dis sans flatterie, car un homme comme moi n’est pas capable de Vous louer. J’ai vu aussi Votre ami Fontana, ce celébre savant s’occupoit avec des éxperiments sur l’elasticité de l’air.
Mr le Père Beccaria, la mort duquel Vous aura affligé sembloit a peine vivre ancore quand je venois le voir, tout affoibli qu’il etoit, il sembloit de revivre lorsque il entendoit Votre nom il me faisoit m’asseoir auprez de son lit, et me demandoit mille choses de Votre part: Qu’est c’que fait mon cher Franklin, comment se portetil, comment vit il? &c.— Voila son portrait que j’ai obtenu de lui, il y a long temps; se ressemble t il? Il me regaloit alors avec un experiment electrique, en me faisant voir par son adjoint que la fumée est un tres bon conducteur; car elle communiquoit l’electricite a de files attachés a un baton, qu’on tenoit dans un distance de quelques pas de la machine. Il me donnoit enfin deux petites piéces une fois pour moi, et une fois pour Vous les remettre c’que j’ai l’honneur de faire. J’ose ajouter un petite nape a Caffé que j’etoit tres agréablement surpris de trouver chez un negotiant de mon pays ou on les fait vers les frontieres de la Saxe d’ou je sui natif. Que cela vous prouve qu’il y a aussi dans ce pays çi bien des gens qui éstiment Vos merites. Il faut encore que je Vous dise, que j’etoit voir aussi Mr Ingenhouse a Vienne, je lui faisois Vos compliments comme Vous l’avez bien voulu, j’ai vu chez lui la lampe qui s’allume moyennant un electrofort, et de l’air inflammable; cette machine Vous sera deja connu par la voie de Mr Sage car Mr Hermann a Strasbourg, son ami, en a traduit la description. Mr Ingenhouse s’occupe a présent avec l’extraction et l’examen de l’air des plantes—mais que fais je? j’oublis que Vous avez bien d’autres affaires que d’écouter mes raconts.
Je Vous remercie donc encore une fois, avec un remerciment digne de tant de bontés que Vous avez bien voulu me témoigner. Je me rejouirai toujours par le souvenir de ce bonheur et par la seule idée de Vous qui me rappelle toujours Votre excellente devise: An HONEST Man’s THE NOBLEST Work OF God. Rendez moi (s’il Vous plait) digne et de Votre amitié, et de Vos services, si je sui capable de quelques uns. J’ai l’honneur d’etre, avec un respect et une éstime infinie. Monsieur Votre tres humble tres obeissant Serviteur
Francois Steinsky.
Mon Addresse Franc. Steinsky professeur aux écoles normales à Prague

Notation: Stensky Prague 12. Sept. 1782.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 13 September 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Bache, Richard

Dear Sir,
Passy, Sept. 13. 1781.
I received yours of June 20. It gave me great Pleasure, as it inform’d me of the Welfare of yourself and the dear Family.
I am glad Ben’s Profile got safe to hand. I assure you it is very like him. He is well.
I have read Mr. Wharton’s Pamphlet. The Facts, as far as I know them, are as he states them. Justice, is, I think, on the Side of those who contracted for the Lands; But moral and political Right sometimes differ; and sometimes are both subdued by Might.
I received and thank you for several Copies of the Indian spelling Book. I received also the German and English News Papers.
The Newton Pippin Grafts will be very welcome. As will some of the Apples, and a few of your white Walnuts, & Chestnuts.
Among my Papers in the Trunk which I unhappily left in the Care of Mr. Galloway, were eight or ten quire or 2 quire Books of rough Drafts of my Letters, containing all my Correspondence when in England, for near twenty Years. I shall be very sorry if they too are lost. Don’t you think it possible, by going up into that Country, and enquiring a little among the Neighbours, you might possibly hear of and recover some of them. I should not have left them in his Hands, if he had not deceived me, by saying, “that tho’ he was before otherwise inclined, yet that since the King had declared us out of his Protection, & the Parliament by an Act, had made our Properties Plunder, he would go as far in Defence of his Country as any Man; and accordingly he had lately with Pleasure given Colours to a Regiment of Militia, & an Entertainment to 400 of them before his House.” I thought he was become a stanch Friend to the glorious Cause. I was mistaken. As he was a Friend of my Son’s, to whom in my Will I had left all my Books and Papers, I made him one of my Executors, and put the Trunk of Papers into his Hands imagining them safer in his House (which was out of the Way of any probable March of the Enemies Troops) than in my own. It was very unlucky.
I should be happy to see William. But I think a foreign Education for one of your Sons, sufficient. Give William at my Expence the best our Country can afford. I wish him however to learn French. You have at present Schools & Masters that teach it. Besides other usual Things, let him acquire a little Mathematics, and a perfect knowledge of Accounts. With this he will be able to bustle and make his Way.
My Love to Sally & the Children. I shall soon write to all my Friends. At present I am pinch’d in time, and can only add that I am ever Your affectionate Father
B Franklin
Richard Bache Esqr.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Hopkinson, 13 September 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hopkinson, Francis

Dear Sir,
Passy, Sept. 13. 1781
I have received your kind Letter of July 17. with its Duplicate, enclosing those for Messrs Brandlight and Sons, which I have forwarded. I am sorry for the Loss of the Squibs. Every thing of yours gives me Pleasure.

As to the Friends and Enemies you just mention, I have hitherto, Thanks to God, had Plenty of the former kind; they have been my Treasure. And it has perhaps been of no Disadvantage to me that I have had a few of the latter. They serve to put us upon correcting the Faults we have, and avoiding those we are in danger of having. They counteract the Mischief Flattery might do us, and their Malicious Attacks make our Friends more zealous in serving us and promoting our Interest. At present I do not know of more than two such Enemies that I enjoy, viz. Lee & Izard. I deserved the Enmity of the latter, because I might have avoided it by paying him a Compliment, which I neglected. That of the former I owe to the People of France, who happen’d to respect me too much & him too little; which I could bear and he couldn’t. They are unhappy that they cannot make every body hate me as much as they do; and I Should be so if my Friends did not love me much more than those Gentlemen can possibly love one another.
Enough of this Subject. Let me know if you are in Possession of my Gimcrack Instruments, and if you have made any new Experiments. I lent many years ago a large Glass Globe mounted to Mr Coombe, and an electric Battery of Bottles which I remember; perhaps there were some other things: He may have had them so long as to think them his own. Pray ask him for them, and keep them for me together with the rest.
You have a new Crop of Prose Writers. I see in your Papers many of their fictitious Names; but nobody tells me the real. You will oblige me by a little of your literary History.— Adieu, my dear Friend, and believe me ever, Yours most affectionately.
F. Hopkinson Esqr


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 13 September 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Huntington, Samuel

Sir,
Passy, Sept. 13. 1781.
I duly received the two Letters your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me both dated the 19th. of June, together with the Letter address’d to the King, & the three Commissions with the Instructions relative to the Negociations for Peace. I immediately went to Versailles, and presented the Letter, which was graciously received. I communicated also to M. le Comte de Vergennes a Copy of your Instructions, after having decypher’d them. He read them while I was with him, and express’d his Satisfaction with the unreserv’d Confidence plac’d in his Court by the Congress assuring me that they would never have cause to regret it, for that the King had the Honour of the United States at Heart as well as their Welfare and Independence. Indeed this has already been manifested in the Negociations relative to the Preliminaries; and I have had so much Experience of his Majesty’s Goodness to us, in the Aids afforded us from time to time; and of the Sincerity of this upright and able Minister, who never promised me anything which he did not punctually perform, that I cannot but think the Confidence well and judiciously plac’d, and that it will have happy Effects.
I have communicated to Mr Adams and to Mr Jay, the Purport of your Dispatches. Mr Adams already had received the same. By the first safe Conveyance I shall acquaint the Congress with the Steps that have been taken in the Negociation. At present I would only say that the settling of Preliminaries meets with Difficulty and will probably take much time, partly from the Remoteness of the Mediators; so that any Relaxation of our Warlike Preparations in expectation of speedy Peace will be imprudent as it may be pernicious.
I am extreamly sensible of the Honour done me by the Congress in this new Appointment. I beg they would accept my thankful Acknowledgments. And since they judge I may yet be serviceable, tho’ I had requested Leave to retire, I submit dutifully to their Determination, and shall do my utmost to merit in some Degree the favourable Opinion they appear to have of me. I am the more encourag’d in this Resolution, as within these last three Months, I find my Health & Strength considerably re-establish’d.
I wish however that a Consul General may soon be appointed, for this Kingdom: it would ease me of abundance of troublesome Business to which I am not equal, and which interferes with my more important Functions.
The King having graciously complied with my Request of Replacing the Supplies lost in the Marquis de la Fayette, many Hands are employ’d in providing them who work hard to have them ready and ship’d so as that they may arrive before Winter.
With the highest Respect, I have the honour to be, Sir Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant
B Franklin

P.S. The Copying machine for Mr Secretary Thomson is in hand, & will soon be finish’d & sent to him.
  To his Excellency Saml. Huntington Esqre. President of Congress.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, 13 September 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Jenifer, Daniel of St. Thomas

Sir,
Passy Sept. 13. 1781.
I received the very obliging Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 20th June last. It gave me great Satisfaction to find by the unanimous Choice you mention, that my Services had not been unacceptable to Congress; and to hear also that they were favourably disposed towards my Grandson. It was my Desire to quit publick Business, fearing it might suffer in my Hands thro’ the Infirmities incident to my Time of Life. But as they are pleased to think I may still be useful, I submit to their Judgement, and shall do my best.
I immediately forwarded the Letter you inclosed for Mr Lowndes; and if in any thing else I can do you Service or Pleasure here, please to command me freely.— I have the honour to be with great Regard, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant
B Franklin
Honble. Danl. of St Thos Jenifer Esqr.

Notation: 13th Sept 1781—From Benjamin Franklin Esq


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to James Lovell, 13 September 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Lovell, James

Sir,
Passy Sept 13 1781
Immediately on the Receipt of your respected Letter of May 9. I wrote to a Friend in London, to supply Messrs. Curson & Gouverneur with what Money they might have occasion for: and he writes to me that he has accordingly made them the Offer. Their Liberty is not at present obtainable. I should be very glad if I had it in my Power to effectuate their Exchange: But I have no English here in my hands. All our Privateers who come upon the Coast of Europe, have of late discharged their Prisoners at Sea, upon their insignificant tho’ written Paroles, of returning an equal Number of our People, which is never regarded; and out of more than 500 such Paroles which have been sent me, not a single Man has ever appeared here in consequence of them; nor was there ever a Man obtained in Exchange for those sent to England in two Flags from Boston: There seems not to be a spark of Honour left in that corrupted Nation. Near 500 of our unhappy Countrymen are now confined in their Prisons under Commitments for High Treason; and unless an equal Number are sent to me here from America I shall not be able to procure their Liberty. I wrote to the same Friend relating to young Dr. Witherspoon; and have the Pleasure to learn that he is now at Liberty, and has been furnish’d by my Orders with what Money he required, to enable him to return home.
Mr. Gerard has been absent ever since I receiv’d your Letter of May 17. so that I have not learnt what has been done by him in the Affair of Dr. Putnam: but I shall attend to it.
I thank you much for the Newspapers you have from time to time sent me. I inclose some of the latest we have here: A great Quantity go directed to the President.

I am, with great Regard, Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant
B Franklin
Honble James Lovell Esqr


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 13 September 1781
From: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Lahaie 13e. 7bre 1781
Je n’ai rien à ajouter, Monsieur à l’incluse, sinon, que Monsieur Adams est convalescent, mais encore très-foible, d’une fievre severe qu’il a eue depuis son retour de Paris. Monsieur, toujours v.t.h. & t. o. serviteur,
Dumas
Vous recevrez, peut-être par ce même ordinaire, une Lettre pour Mr. Carmichael, s’il m’est possible de la finir.A Son Exc. Mr. B. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Coakley Lettsom, 13 September 1781
From: Lettsom, John Coakley
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sambrook house Basinghall Street Sept. 13. 1781
May I request Dr. Franklin’s acceptance of the publications herewith sent. The octavo volume by Captn. Carver is more interesting, on acct. of the importance of a Country whose back settlements it describes, and which is one day destined, I hope, to form the hemisphere of freedom—

I expected to include in two 8vo volumes the whole of Dr. Fothergill’s works, but so many essays have been discovered since his decease, worthy of preservation, that the whole cannot be included in less than three volumes, or one large Quarto. The natural history part will be embellished with coloured engravings—
Should Dr. Franklin ever condescend to favour me with any Remarks, or anecdotes respecting our late amiable friend, they will be highly acceptable to
J. C. Lettsom

Addressed: To / Benj. Franklin / Paris—
Notation: Lettsom 18 Sept. 1781.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Mallet, 13 September 1781
From: Mallet, ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
Havre Ce 13 7bre 1781.
Permettez que je réclame Votre protection pour avoir le payement de 96 l.t. qui me sont dues par le S. William Williams, qui a resté en pension chez moi depuis le 1er. juin jusqu’au 24 dernier à 52 l.t. par mois.
Le profond respect que j’ai pour vous, Monsieur, m’engagea de recevoir ce jeun homme, qui étoit dans la plus grande indigence, sur l’assurance qu’il me donna d’être votre parent et protégé et je pris la liberté de vous en donner avis pour ma conduite au près de lui; peu de jours après le Sr. Augustin Morice, Américain, Armateur, Capitaine Breveté et protegé de vous, vint me Cautionner le dt Sr. williams me demanda la lettre que vous veniez de m’Ecrire et me pria de le garder jusqu’à son départ, sur le Corsaire qu’il faisoit armer ici, qu’il devoit commander, et sur lequel il devoit s’embarquer avec lui.
Le Sr. Morice en me payant le 1er. mois et les menues d’avances que j’avois faites au dt sieur williams me pria de rechef de continuer, ce que j’ai fait jusqu’au 24 dernier, qu’ils se sont absentés tous deux Sans me payer, et sans que je puisse découvrir où ils sont allés.

Cette facheuse circonstance, Monsieur, ne m’offre d’autre ressource que celle de vous réclamer pour être payé par l’un ou par l’autre: Vous les connoissez, ils sont sous vos ordres et j’ose espérer que vous aurez égard à ma juste demande, étant chargé d’une nombreuse famille, d’un fort loyer et accablé de peines.
J’ai l’honneur d’être avec respect Monsieur Votre très humble et très obéissant serviteur
Malletgreffier militaire

un mois 24 Jours 93 l.t.
  12 s. pension & chambre garnie

  Chandelles
   6 pendant 1 mois 24 J.

  Blanchissage 1. . .
  10

Clef de Sa Chambre qu’il

  a emportée
  12

Total
  96

Notation: Mallet 13. 7bre. 1781


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 14 September 1781
From: Morris, Robert
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Office of Finance Philada. Septbr. 14th. 1781
I take the Liberty to enclose to you a Note of two Books of which I am to request that you will cause three compleat Setts to be purchased on the public Account and sent to me by three different Conveyances. I am very respectfully Sir your most Obedient & humble Servant
Robt Morris
His Excy. Benjn. Franklin Esqr. Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States at the Court of Versailles

Notation: R. Morris Sept. 14. 1782


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from V. & P. French & Nephew, 15 September 1781
From: French, V. & P., & Nephew
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir,
Bordeaux 15. Sepr. 1781.
We take the liberty of inclosing you a letter for Mr. James Price an American of distinction, who we were informed by a letter from Nantes arrived at L’Orient on board the Ann, Capt. Josiah early in last month & directed his Course to Paris, this news has not been Since Confirmed by a line from him or any of Our Correspondents; we rec’d. remittances for him last post by the arrival of Ships at L’Orient the Hope & Polly from Philâdelphia Capts. Frezier & Kean to à large amt. on the Treasury of Paris, wch. we have this day dispatched to our Banker there to procure acceptance, if you Know any thing of this Gentleman we humbly pray you Sr. to inform us & to forward his letter. We are with respect Sir, Your obedt: humble Servt.
V. & P: French & Nephew
His Excellency B. Franklin Esqr. Passy.

Notation: V P. French & Neveu 15 sept 1781.


Title: William Robeson to William Temple Frankin, 15 September 1781
From: Robeson, William
To: Franklin, William Temple

Dear sir
Nantes 15th Septr 1781
I have the Honor of Receiving your Second and friendly favour upon the Subject of Mr. Montague, some days since I answerd your first, and thinking it might Intefere with your more Important Business, I Requested my friend Mr. Mason to Carve out for this young Gentleman— I am now happy to find he has attended to your Councel—and seems to think proper to Return to me.
Had he but the Gratitude of a Savage he coud not do less, and the more Particularly after having pass’d from England to Passy at my Expence as per Account Rendred of Mr. Raymond how coud he Suggest I woud pay a farthing of Mr. Raymonds Account Unless he shoud Return to my Service tho I shoud be in Honor bound to Mr. Raymond Well knowing he had no Other View but the Serving of me. Shoud Mr. Mason be gone or Any thing prevent his Attention to this Business I will thank you Exceedingly to have him a place procured in the Publick Carriage paying his Seat to this, all Which Will be Settled by Mr. Williams together With Mr. Raymonds Account When he comes up Which Will be in a Very few days.
Mr. Raymond has a Number of Papers of Mine. I will thank him to put them in a Small and Secure Box and give them to the Boy Who Will deliver them to me Shoud you think him Safe but as they are papers of the Utmost Importance to me I Believe it woud be As Well let them Rest Untill Mr. Williams Return— I am With Most Sincere Respect Your Most Ob. Sert
Wm Robeson

Endorsed: Ansd 27th. Do
Notation: Capt Robeson Sept 15. 1781


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Gabriel Johonnot, 16 September 1781
From: Johonnot, Gabriel
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Paris. 16th. Septr. 1781.
Colonel Johonnot Presents his Most Respectfull Compliments to His Excellency Doctr. Franklin, & beggs his excuse for not waiting on him in Person, as the Necessary Attention to his Departure for Nantes, & his Sons for Geneva, Absolutely puts it out of his power. The Diligence for Orleans leaving Paris Tomorrow Morng. four OClock, The Other for Lyon & Geneva Tuesday Morng, He beggs the favor of the Doctr. to Give him a line to Mr Williams & any French Merchts. in Nantes, he may be Acquainted with, on the General Principle of Commerce, so far as he may have been Satisfied of Character & Abilities, from such Letters from Doctr. Cooper as he may have received or Seen; Together with a Passport: Colonel Johonnot will ever hold the favors received from the Doctr. in the most Gratefull light, and Endeavor to make to him & his, such Returns, as Shall sufficiently Evince the Sincerety of his profession. He most Sincerely wishes the Doctr. the fullest Enjoymt: of every Blessing thro’ life.

Addressed: His Excellency. Benja. Franklin Esqr. / at Passy.
Notation: Col. Johonnot sept 16. 1781


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Gabriel Johonnot, 15 September 1781 [i.e., on or after 16 September 1781]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Johonnot, Gabriel

Passy, Sept. 15. [i.e., on or after September 16, 1781] 81
Dr Franklin presents his Compliments to Col. Johonnot, and sends the Letter he desires for Mr Williams. He has not the least Acquaintance with any French Merchant at Nantes that is likely to enter into Col. Johonnot’s Views; and if he were to advise, it would be not to sollicit at present any one for Goods upon Credit. The great Losses that have been sustained by many who have adventured Goods into our Country, have totally discouraged the Practice; and it will require time to re-establish the lost Confidence.— Dr Franklin having Occasion for some Money in Boston, will be obliged to Col. Johonnot if he can give him Bills on that Place for 100 Guineas; in which Case they may be lodg’d with Mr Williams, who shall have Col. J’s Notes to deliver up.— Or if he has Time, Col. J. may draw the Bills here directly. Mr Franklin will write the Letters for Geneva to-morrow.— Wishes him a good Journey.

Endorsed: Honble. Benja. Franklin. Esqr Letter dated Septr: 15th. 1781.