Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Franklin Case, 22 March 1784
From: Case, Jane Franklin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Newburgh ulster County State of Newyorkmarch the 22d—1784
Honourd Sir

Altho I am but a Child of Eight years of age And you Dear Sir to me Intirely unknown I make Bold to Send you these few Lines to Inform you that my Parents Informs me that I Receivd one part of my Christian Name in honour to you and to manifest their Regard for you as a friend to america my Native Country and In order to Shew the Great Regard I have for your Person and Character I Beg of you to accept of the Enclosed Piece as a token thereof it was wrote by So near a Connection to me that I would wish to Conceal his name So wishing you all health and

Happiness Both here and Hereafter I Remain your most Loveing friend and Humble Servant

Jane Franklin Case

PS I Should be Happy to hear by a Line from your honour that you had Receivd this Letter Safely if Sir you Should Condecend to write to me please to Direct to the Care of Coll Thomas Palmer at the above Named place

J F C
To Doctor Benjamin Franklin—&c

Addressed: To Doctr / Benjamin Franklin / att / The Court of versallies / Near Paris


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Case, [22 March 1784]
From: Case, Stephen
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[March 22, 1784]

I Do hereby Certify to you that the name Signd is in the proper hand writeing of my Daughter who has Long been Desirious of writeing to your Honour. She is a fine Beautifull Child of fine witt and Exceeding apt to Learn more So than any one of my Children to the amount of 11 which I have had born to me.
From Sir your unknown friend

Stephen Case
To Doctor Benjamin Franklin Esq

Addressed: To Doctor / Benjamin Franklin Esq / Near or at Paris / in old France— / Pr. Packet


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 23 March 1784
From: Jones, John Paul
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir,
Paris March 23d. 1784

The Marquis de la Fayette was so obliging as to translate and enforce my two last Letters, which I had the honor to communicate to you of the 6th. and 13th. Current, to the Marechal de Castries, on the subject of the Prize-money due to the Officers and Men who served in the Squadron I commanded in Europe. But, from a Letter written the 29th. of May 1780 from M. De Sartine to Mr. le Rey de Chaumont, of which I had the honor to shew you an Extract, the Marquis informs me, that it is the opinion of the Marechal de Castries that you have agreed to the Settlement of the Prize-money in the manner that was proposed by Mr. le Rey de Chaumont; whereby the whole expence of the Squadron in the Texel is charged to the Captors. The Marechal finds it difficult to alter what he thinks has been settled by his Predecessor; but if you would be so good as to enable me to convince him that you never consented to the Settlement proposed by Mr. le Rey de Chaumont, the Marquis de la Fayette is of opinion that you would thereby remove the greatest difficulty that now opposes a final Settlement of the Business. I am, Sir, with the greatest Respect, Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant

J Paul Jones

His Excellency B. Franklin Esqr. American Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of France

Notation: Paul Jones March 23. 1784—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Banks, 23 March 1784
From: Banks, Joseph
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Soho Square March 23 1784

After the Storm which has agitated the Royal Society since Christmas with no Small degree of Violence We have drop’d into a flat Calm. It seems as if the debates have exhausted the annual supply of genius or at least skimmd off the Cream of it as nothing very interesting appears either in Presence or Prospect.

The best papers we have had is Dr. Blagdens general thoughts on Meteors in which he has made an Observation gatherd from the Examination of as many accounts as he Could procure from all periods which is, that Meteors appear always to have followd a direction somewhat near the Magnetical meridian which analogy between Magnetism & Electricity seems likely to produce discoveries.
Mr. Herschel has given us Some good Observations on the Planet Mars in the Couse [Course] of which he has descanted much on large luminous Areas seen in the Polar regions of that planet which in the Course of some years Observation he has Observd to increase or diminish as their respective poles were opposd to or inclind from the Sun whence he concludes them to be Masses of Snow & Ice accumulating about the poles of that planet in a manner similar to what happens on ours the first Observation I think that we have had tending to Prove a similarity of Creative arrangement in the Similar parts of our System.
The business of Aerostates seems to Come now towards rest in France no advances appear to have been made by the Clumsey means hitherto proposd of guiding them indeed any one who Sees a bird strugling against the wind notwithstanding his shape is apparently contrivd to Present the Smallest possible Surface to it will hesitate much in beleiving it possible for men

to Give usefull direction to a machine which always must present an enormous one increasing in Proportion as it Carries up additional Strengh to move it.
Smeathmans Idea is ingenious but I fear impracticable the weight of his Plane must if it is made of Materials sufficiently strong to support its own extention be more than the Proportion of Ballon fit to Ride upon it Can Support to say nothing of the danger of Oversetting nor is it new for it was suggested in Conversation to me Some Months before I receivd it from Smeathman.
Mr. Argand has procurd a Patent for his Lamp which the officers of Police at Paris Seem to have borrowd from him without any valuable consideration it appears to me A real improvement

I only Lament that we are to pay the piper to whom in all likelyhood all Europe will dance.
Our old Friend Smeaton is just About to publish his Account of the Building of Edistone Lighthouse. I was with him this morn & lookd over the plates most of which have been engravd these 20 years but he left off business with the last year & now means to amuse himself with this publication.
Yours Faithfully

Jos: Banks


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Amelia Barry, 24 March 1784
From: Barry, Amelia
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Dear Sir,
Pisa 24th March 1784

Mr. Partridge, one of the principal Merchants at Leghorn, and who is universally esteemed for his knowledge and virtue, will have the honor to present you this letter. As he takes Paris in his way to England, I wish to introduce to you a Gentleman of his merit, and who has long been a warm and sincere friend to me and my little family. As his stay upon the Continent will not be sufficiently long for you to have a proper knowledge of his character, permit me to entreat your best offices to him on my account;—and every attention he receives from you, will be considered as immediately confered upon, My Dear Paternal Friend, Your grateful, obliged & affecate. Humble Servant,

A. Barry.
His Excelly. B. Franklin Esqr.

Endorsed: Mar. 24. 84
Notation: A Barry 24 Mars 1784


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Nathaniel Bancroft, 26 March 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Bancroft, Edward Nathaniel

My dear young Friend,
Passy, March 26. 1784

I have received two Letters from you, and am pleas’d to see that you improve in your Writing and Language, and to read your dutiful Expressions of Respect and Love for your Parents, which is very commendable. My Grandson Benja. Franklin Bache, who is lately return’d from Geneva, answer’d for me your first Letter, and hopes you receiv’d it, tho’ you mention nothing of it in your second.— You are happy in being under the Care of so good a Master as Mr Rose, whom I much esteem, and desire you would present my Respects to him. Pursue your Studies diligently: they may qualify you to act in some honourable Station hereafter, and distinguish you from the ignorant Vulgar. Strive to be one of the best Boys among your Acquaintance; ’tis the Road that leads to the Character of a Good Man. Be dutiful & affectionate to your good Mother, particularly now in the Absence of your Father; which will draw down upon you the Blessing of God, and procure you the Regard of all your Father’s Friends, and of every one that knows your Family. I am, my dear young Friend, Yours very affectionately

B. Franklin

This Family join in respectful Compliments to Mrs Bancroft

Master E. N. Bancroft.—

Addressed: To / Master Edwd. Nathl Bancroft / No 6. Dukestreet / St. James’s / London


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 26 March 1784
From: Hartley, David
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
London March 26 1784

I have received yours of the 11th instant. I am to inform you in answer that it is not thought necessary on the part of Great

Britain to enter into any formal convention for the prolongation of the term in wch the ratifications were to be exchanged as the delay in America appears to have arisen merely in consequence of the inclemency of the season. There will be no delay on our part in exchanging the ratifications of the definitive treaty with the united States as soon as that on their part shall arrive.— I shall be very happy when you send me notice of that arrival, for the pleasing opportunity that it will afford me of seeing you again. I beg my best Compts to Mr Adams if at Paris and to Mr Jay & all friends. I am with the greatest affection & Esteem ever Yours

D Hartley
To Dr Franklin &c &c &c—

Endorsed: D Hartley Esqr to B F. March 26. 1784


Title: John Adams to Franklin and John Jay, 27 March 1784
From: Adams, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin,Jay, John

Gentlemen
The Hague March 27. 1784

I have the Honour to inclose a Letter from Mr Edward Browne of Ostend and another from Mr De Berdt.— Mr Browne was introduced to me in London by Mr De Berdt, and appears to be an accomplished Person well acquainted with the Language Laws and Commerce of the Place where he is.— If your Excellencys judge proper, I should be obliged to you if you would transmit to Congress, Mr Brownes Letter and Mr De Berdts, for the Consideration of that Body.
With great

Their Excellencies Mr Franklin & Mr Jay.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— de Gourdon, 27 March 1784
From: Gourdon, —— de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

ce Samedy 27. mars 1784.

M. de Gourdon a l’honneur de Présenter Ses Respectueux homages a Monsieur franklin, et de Luÿ Renvoÿer Les 10 Volumes qu’il a Bien voulu Luÿ Prester: il Se Seroit fait un devoir de les luÿ Reporter Luÿ même Si Sa Santé Luÿ Eut Permis de sortir ces jours cÿ.
Il Supplie Monsieur franklin, Si il a quelque Suplément à Cette histoire qui l’amene jusqu’a La conclusion, de Vouloir bien Le luÿ prester: il Le luÿ Rendra avec La même Exactitude, et Saisira Le premier moment d’aller Renouveller Sa Reconnoisance a Monsieur franklin.
Mad de Gourdon a l’honneur de Luÿ Presenter Ses très humbles civilitées.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis and Marquise de Lafayette and Jean-Baptiste de Gouvion, 27 March 1784
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de,Lafayette, Marie-Adrienne-Françoise de Noailles, marquise de,Gouvion, Jean-Baptiste de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Paris Ce 27. mars [1784?]

Mr et Mde. La Marquise De lafayette et Mr. De Gouvion profiteront avec grand plaisir de l’Invitation de Monsieur Franklin et auront l’honneur de Diner chez lui Dimanche.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Witherspoon, 27 March 1784
From: Witherspoon, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
London March 27. 1784

I had some Expectations of seeing you before this Time at Paris. Please to know that the Trustees of the College of New Jersey contrary to my Judgement and Inclination were induced by some Things they had heard to suppose that this would not be an improper Time to Solicit Benefactors for the College which is known to have suffered so much by being seated in the Center of the Theatre of the late War. They therefore gave a Commission to Genl Reed & myself to make Application for the Purpose both in England and France.
There is little or no Prospect of Success here and though I should be well pleased to visit Paris for my own Satisfaction I was somewhat unwilling to add to the Charge unless there is some Reason to hope it may be useful. I have Letters of Introduction

to the Comte de Vergennes &c from the Minister of France and other Letters from Mr Marbois & Genl Washington. These Letters however I suppose are general and not relating to the Purpose abovementioned. What I would particularly request of you is to give your Opinion candidly whether in Case of my going to Paris it would be at all proper to make Application to any Persons for the College either as to Subscriptions or Books or Apparatus. I will be governed in this Matter by your Opinion & Mr Jays and either not go to Paris at all or when there be entirely silent as to this Business and only gratify my Curiosity & pay my Compliments where they are due.
I retain a very grateful Sense of the Attention you paid to my Son while in Paris.
I have the Honour to be Your Excellencys most obedt humble Servant

Jno Witherspoon

P.S. Please to direct for me to the Care of Mr Dennis Deberdt Mercht in London

His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr

Notation: Witterspoon March 27 1784.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 28 March 1784
From: Laurens, Henry
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir,
Bath, March 28. 1784

The 20th. Instant I had the honor of receiving your favor of the 12th. with Postscript of the 13th. by the hand of my Son, who will be the Bearer of this. I should have replied immediately, and

at all hazards to my health have made a Journey to Whitehall, on the subject of Mr. Secretary Thomson’s Letter, which considering Times & Tempers, I felt as demanding immediate Attention. But luckily for me, our friend Mr. Hartley was at Bath and just going to London. I requested him to propose to Lord Carmarthen, a convention for extending the stipulated Term, for exchanging the Ratifications of our Definitive Treaty of the 3d. September, and to say I would, without delay, repair to London for executing on our part if necessary—that if the Formality might be dispensed with, without prejudice to the contracting Parties, the assent of the Minister should be signified to me in writing. This morning brought me a Letter from Mr Hartley, a Copy of which will be inclosed. I flatter myself, the Contents will afford the same satisfaction, to yourself and the other Gentlemen on your side the Channel, as I feel upon the occasion.
Mr. Carmichael’s intelligence of new Draughts, “some advised of,” is further alarming. Your answer is sage and good. I am weary of conjectures upon this Business. Is there a Worm at the Root of the hasty grown Gourd? I find however some consolation, in foreseeing that there must be a Stop to the Evil, and hoping the Day cannot be distant. That several of the States are to blame for deficiencies I have no doubt, but according to my Ideas, no Necessity could sanctify continued Draughts under a moral certainty of Dishonor. Abundantly more prudent would it have been, to submit to every Inconvenience at home. Creditors there would have worked out their own Salvation, and People’s Eyes would have been opened. The Work must still be performed with accumulated Weight.
I have heard nothing since I left London the 16th. relative to the intended Regulations of Commerce with America, except the Extension of the Intercourse Bill, and from Mr Bourdieu who writes in general terms.

“I could have wished to have carried him better accounts of the Conduct of Administration, touching the American Intercourse Bill, but there are strong remains of the old Leaven among us, and the same Disposition for monopolizing the Trade and Navigation of the World to ourselves.”

But as this Gentleman intends to make you a Visit in a few days, You’ll have an Opportunity of learning particulars from himself.
I sent you some time ago a Pamphlet entitled Considerations &c. The Author having entreated my Opinion, I have pointed out several parts which will probably be ill taken by our People. They may ask, is this the Work of a Friend? Harry will shew you my Remarks, such as they are. I was too sick to be minute and could only dictate in brief.
As for the Treasury Affair, being well acquainted with their tricks and not ignorant of their present Necessities, I think nothing more about it, except that when I am able to walk up the Steps, I will once firmly request a categorical Answer, persuaded at the same time, that the Chance, even of recovering the authenticated Account lodged in their Office, is against me. This and much greater Losses in my Estate are to my feelings trifles, compared with the destruction of all my papers, a savage Work which my Attornies inform me was perpetrated by the British troops when they were in possession of South Carolina. The Papers had been lodged under the protection of an old Gentleman Seventy miles from the Sea.
My late Journey to London in January was made in full

determination to provide proper Embarkation hoping to have been this day on my Voyage, but sickness rendered me wholly incapable of taking the necessary Steps. At this moment I feel a double Regret from losing the advantage of a long continued Easterly Wind, and from feeling the same Wind piercing thro’ all my joints. An Accident however has lately happened which would arrest my attempts for some days, even if I had strength enough to stir about. My Son’s late journey to France was intended for conducting his widowed Aunt and his Sister to this Kingdom, but the former being very infirm was incapable of proceeding in the late severe Season. He is now going to make a second Attempt. The concerns of two distressed Families render it necessary for me to wait the Event, hoping no Offence will be taken on the other side of the Water, when no Expence or Loss will be incurred by the delay.
Thus circumstanced I do not expect to begin my Voyage till the middle of May. When please God I arrive at the proper place, I shall pay full attention to the desires respecting yourself.
The good old Lady’s sole claim to Infallibility conveys to the World in general a Satire, as severe as Sir Richard’s Lampoon upon the Church established by Law, but I had something else in contemplation, when in the fullness of my heart, the intimation, which you have treated with so much pleasantry, gushed forth. I could honestly make an Explanation to a third Person, and to the satisfaction of every unprejudiced impartial Person. To such I appeal. An attempt here, I am sure would be disgusting.
I have desired my Son to present you with the latest News Papers and Pamphlets and not to forget the Letters of Marius.
With repeated good wishes for your health and happiness, And with sincere Attachment I have the honor to be, Dear sir Your faithful & Obedt servant

Henry Laurens.
His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr. Passy.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Graf von Brühl, 29 March 1784
From: Brühl, Hans Moritz Graf von
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Dover St. March 29th. 1784.

I presume to trouble you with an Application for a Letter of Recommendation in favour of Mr Biederman Dr of Law in the University of Leipzig who in the Course of last year set out for America in the Capacity of Agent & Manager of the Concerns & Interest of many of our principal Manufacturers & Merchants. If you should be inclined to comply with my Request, I beg you will trust me with the Care of transmitting your recommendatory Letter to that Gentleman. I need not point out to you the advantages that will arise to both Countries from the Countenance with which you will be pleased to honour Dr Biederman’s Undertaking. It is with singular pleasure I embrace this opportunity to assure you of the high Esteem & great respect with which I have the honour to subscribe myself, Sir Your most obedient & most humble Servant

Ct de Brühl

Notation: Cte. De Bruhl March 29. 1784—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Alexis-François Cadet de Vaux, 29 March 1784
From: Cadet de Vaux, Antoine-Alexis-François
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Ce 29 Mars 1784

M. Cadet de Vaux présente l’assurance de Son très humble respect à Monsieur franklin.
Sa commission pour la farine de Mays est faite, du moment ou Elle Sera arrivée, il en Sera prevenu.

La cheminée poele réussit à merveille. M.M. le grand et molinos auront l’honneur d’aller en rendre compte à Monsieur franklin, un jour avec moi.
M. Cadet prie Monsieur franklin d’accepter un Exemplaire des deux mèmoires cy joints et d’en faire passer un a m. l’abbe de la Roche et a M. le Veillard.

Notation: Cadet de Vaux 29 Mars 1784—


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 30 March 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Jay, John

Dear Sir,
Passy, March 30. 1784

Yesterday late in the Evening arrived here an Express from Congress with the Definitive Treaty ratified, which I enclose with the Resolutions, Proclamation, and the President’s Letter. The Congress anxious that the Ratification should arrive within the Term stipulated, dispatch’d it seems three Expresses, by different Vessels, with authenticated Copies. This came by the French Pacquet Boat; Major Franks sail’d before, with another, in a Ship for London. As the Term is long since expired, and I have already sent to Mr Hartley the Excuse for the Delay; and as Majr Franks may probably be arrived in London, and have delivered his Copy to Mr Laurence; and the Post going on Thursday; I hardly think it necessary to send an Express on the Occasion to London; but shall be glad of your Advice, and to consult with you on the Steps to be taken for the Exchange, in Case Mr Laurens has not already made it, which I wish he may, as it will save Trouble.

All the News I learnt from Col. Harmar who brought the Dispatch, is, that the Winter has been uncommonly severe in America; that the Pacquet Boat was long detain’d in New-York by the Ice; and that one which sail’d from hence in October, was lost on Long Island going in, some of the People and Passengers saved tho’ much frozen, others froze to death. With great Esteem, I am, Your most obedient humble Servant

B Franklin

The Post has the Mail with all the common Letters and the Dispatches for the Court. Our Express is a Day before him.— I have receiv’d no private Letters from any of my Friends.

His Excelly. John Jay Esqr

Endorsed: Doctr Franklin 30 march 1784


Title: Certification for Jacques Le Maire de Gimel, 30 March 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

Passy, March 30. 1784—

I do hereby certify whom it may concern, that Col. Lemaire came from Virginia to France in the Year 1778, with Letters of Recommendation to me from Patrick Henry Esquire then

Governor of that State, by whom he was employed to procure Arms and military Stores here for the Use of their Army; which Commission, as far as I have ever heard, he executed with Fidelity & Ability, to the Satisfaction of the Government there.

B Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Leveux, 30 March 1784
From: Leveux, Jacques
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
Calais le 30 Mars 1784.

J’ay reçu la Lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire le 8 de ce mois. En consequence de vos ordres Je Joins a la presente le compte de mes Debours pour les prisonniers americains échapés d’angleterre depuis 1779 Jusqu’a ce Jour.

Il Se monte a
1712.10.
l.t.

mes Debours pour les Effets de Mr Jay
9.15.

1722. 5

J’attendray vos ordres pour le remboursement de cette Somme. Quand le Congrès accordera des Commissions de Consul des Etats unis de l’amerique dans quelque port de france, Je vous Suplie, Monsieur, de faire en Sorte que Je ne Sois pas oublié.
Je Suis avec respect Monsieur Votre tres humble & tres obeissant Serviteur

Jes. Leveux
Monsieur le Docteur francklin

Notation: Le Veux, Calais le 30 Mars 1784.—


Title: Aux Auteurs du Journal de Paris, [before 31 March 1784]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

In February, 1784, a Parisian apothecary named Quinquet and his friend Lange, a distiller, began to demonstrate in Paris a new kind of oil lamp that they claimed to have invented. That claim was exaggerated. What they had done was to reproduce the closely guarded design of their friend Ami Argand, who had taken them into his confidence the previous September. Argand was no longer in Paris; he

had left for London in November, 1783, to obtain a British patent and recruit English workmen to manufacture the metal bases and flintglass chimneys.
Cadet de Vaux, editor of the Journal de Paris, was an early champion of Quinquet and Lange. After having told Franklin about their lamp, on February 13 he sent word that Quinquet and Lange wished to demonstrate their “discovery” in hopes of obtaining the doctor’s endorsement. There is no evidence that Franklin saw the lamp before Cadet published his article about it five days later. By the time he wrote the satire published below, however, he had examined it carefully.
The February 18 article in the Journal de Paris appeared under the heading “Economie.” It informed readers about a newly invented lamp that emitted a brilliant light, did not produce smoke, and consumed very little oil. A foreign scientist, “Monsieur A.,” had conceived the design but had refused to divulge its mechanism. Quinquet and Lange, recognizing its “avantages économiques,” had penetrated the mystery. They not only replicated the lamp but even improved it by adding a glass chimney. The same quantity of oil and cotton that in ordinary lamps emitted a dull, weak light would produce, in this one, a light that shone as brightly as ten candles and was infinitely more beautiful. All classes of citizens would soon be adopting this economical invention. Quinquet and Lange had no interest in keeping the mechanism secret; on the contrary, they had explained it to scientists (unnamed) and “MM. Montgolfier, Faujas de St. Fond, &c.” The Lieutenant General of Police was interested in using the technology to light the streets of Paris, and Quinquet and Lange, along with the official in charge of street lamps, were planning a trial. The pair deserved even more honor than would ordinarily be

due to a discovery because the lamp was of a “utilité generale.” In a final flourish of hyperbole, the article concluded that the lamp was the “perfection de la combustion des huiles.” Interested parties could see a prototype in the shop of M. Daguerre, who would manufacture them in whatever size was required.
Three days later, on February 21, Quinquet and Lange presented their lamp to the Académie des sciences, representing it as their own invention. (They may not have known that Argand had already demonstrated his lamp to several members of the academy, as well as many government officials.) If Cadet had believed them to be offering their innovation to the public without regard for personal gain, he was mistaken: seeking an approbation from the academy was the first step toward their ultimate goal of obtaining a royal privilège. It was also the opening volley in what would become a prolonged fight over rights to what became known in France as a quinquet and what in the English-speaking world is still known as an Argand lamp.
While the self-styled inventors were chasing official recognition, the new lamp was transforming the nightlife of Paris. With its brilliant, smokeless light, and its promise of fuel economy, it was universally acclaimed and was soon illuminating homes and public spaces. Yet Franklin, who had himself invented a circular wick oil lamp in London, and who continued to improve it (showing his new design to Sebastian Clais, a visiting engineer, in 1781), was more

aware than most of his contemporaries of the caveats that would apply to such a device. Did the lamp really consume very little oil?
Franklin probably drafted his letter to the Journal de Paris in mid-March. An internal clue—the author’s observation that for three days in a row the sun rose at approximately six o’clock in the morning—places the conceit around March 18–20. (According to the meteorological data published at the top of the front page of the Journal, the sun rose at precisely six o’clock on March 18.) A French translation was ready by March 31, when Franklin sent a copy to Mme Brillon.
“Aux Auteurs du Journal de Paris” lampooned human nature in general, as well as specific aspects of the society from which Franklin was preparing to take his leave: charlatans and amateurs who advertised fantastic claims; credulous audiences who flocked to demonstrations; aristocrats who advocated conserving resources while profligately wasting them; a court that justified its imposition of onerous regulations by claiming to be concerned for the welfare of its citizens. When Cadet de Vaux sent the author a set of typeset pages on April 23, three of the sharpest barbs had been excised. Otherwise, the text was unchanged. (The three censored sections are noted, below.) Cadet ran the article on the front page of the April 26 issue. As with the February 18 article about the lamp of Quinquet and Lange, this letter to the editor was published under the heading “Economie.”
The English text of Franklin’s anonymous letter was first published in January, 1788, by Benjamin Vaughan, and has been a favorite among editors and anthologizers of Franklin’s writings ever since. Though written for a Parisian audience, the author considered the practical implications of his “discovery”—the sun gives light as soon as it rises—as equally relevant to the capital of Britain. He would address it in the third part of his autobiography, written in August, 1788: “The Inhabitants of London chusing voluntarily to live much by Candle Light, and sleep by Sunshine; and yet often complain a little absurdly, of the Duty on Candles and the high Price of Tallow.”

Franklin’s letter is best known for its satire and the suggestion of rising with the sun, which in our time has led readers to conclude, falsely, that he invented Daylight Saving Time. Focusing only on the humor, however, misses the important scientific question that Franklin poses at the outset. He writes of having attended a gathering at which the lamp of Quinquet and Lange was examined. It produced a brighter light than ordinary lamps, but was not the amount of oil it consumed in proportion to the light it afforded, in which case it represented no savings at all? Though no one present could answer that question, Franklin wrote, everyone agreed on its importance.
The question of the lamp’s economy was as yet unanswerable. Three years after Franklin’s death, Count Rumford invented a shadow photometer capable of measuring the relative luminosities of various light sources. One of his first experiments set out to answer the question that Franklin and others had posed. According to his data, the Argand lamp consumed more than one and a half times as much oil, but considering the amount of light it gave, it represented a saving of approximately 13 percent. Whether that savings was offset by the costs of manufacture, Rumford could not say.

[before March 31, 1784]

I.Aux Auteurs du Journal de Paris.

Messieurs,

Vous nous faites souvent part de Découvertes nouvelles; permettez moi de vous en communiquer une, dont Je suis moimeme l’Auteur, et que je crois pouvoir être d’une grande Utilité.

Je passois il y a quelques Jours la Soireé en grande Compagnie, dans une Maison ou l’on essayoit les Nouvelles Lampes de Mrs Quinquet et Lange; on y admiroit la Vivacité de la Lumiere qu’elles repandent, mais on s’occupoit beaucoup de savoir si elles ne consumoient pas encore plus dHuile que les Lampes communes, en proportion de l’Eclat de leur Lumiere: au quel cas on craignoit qu’il n’y eut aucune épargne a s’en servir. Personne de la Compagnie ne fut en état de nous tranquilliser sur ce point, qui, paroissoit a tout le monde très important a éclarcir, pour diminuer, disoit’on, s’il étoit possible, les Frais des Lumieres dans les Appartements, dans un tems où tous les autres Articles de la Depense des Maisons augmentent si considerablement tous les Jours.
Je remarquai avec beaucoup de Satisfaction ce goût général pour l’Economie; car j’aime infiniment l’Economie. Je rentrai chéz moi, et me couchai vers les trois heures après minuit, l’Esprit plein du Sujet qu’on avoit traité. Vers les Six heures du Matin Je fus réveillé par un bruit audessus de ma tête, et Je fus fort etonné de voir ma Chambre très éclairée. Encore moitié endormie, J’imaginai d’abord qu’on y avoit allumé une douzaine de Lampes de M Quinquet: Mais, en me frottant les yeux, Je reconnus distinctement que la Lumiere entroit par mes Fenêtres. Je me levai pour savoir dou elle venoit; et Je vis que le Soleil s’elevoit a ce moment même des Bords de l’Horison, d’où il versoit abondament ses Rayons dans ma Chambre, mon Domestique ayant oublié de fermer mes Volets. Je regardai mes Montres, qui

son fort bonnes, et Je vis qu’il n’étoit que six heures; mais trouvant extraordinaire que le Soleil fut levé de si bon matin, J’allai consulter lAlmanach, ou l’heure du Lever du Soleil étoit en effet fixeé à six heures precises pour ce jour là. Je poussai un peu plus loin ma recherche, et Je lus que cet Astre continueroit de se Lever tous les Jours plus matin jusqu’a la fin du Mois de Juin, mais qu’en aucun tems de lAnneé il ne retardoit son lever jusqu’a huit Heures. Vous avez, surement, Messieurs, beaucoup de Lectures des deux Sexes, qui, comme moi, n’ont Jamais vus le Soleil avant onze Heures ou midi, et qui lisent bien rarement la partie astronomique du Calendrier de la Cour, Je ne doute pas que ces Personnes ne soyent aussi étonnées d’entendre dire que le Soleil se leve de si bonne heure, que je l’ai été moi-même de le voir. Elles ne le seront pas moins de m’entendre assurer qu’il donne sa Lumiere au même Moment ou il se leve; mais J’ai la preuve de ce fait. Il ne m’est pas possible d’en douter. Je suis témoin oculaire de ce que j’avance; et en répétant l’Observation les trois Jours suivans, J’ai obtenu Constamment le même Resultat. Je dois cependant vous dire que lors que J’ai fait part de ma Decouverte dans la Société, J’ai bien démélé, dans la Contenance et l’air de beaucoup de Personnes un peu d’Incredulité, quoi qu’elles aïent eu assès de Politesse pour ne pas me le témoigner en termes exprès. J’ai trouvé aussi sur mon chemin un Philosophe, qui m’a assuré que j’étois dans l’Erreur sur l’Article de ma Relation, ou Je disais que la Lumiere ENTROIT dans ma Chambre; que je concluois malàpropos ce pretendu fait de ce que mes Volets étoient demeurés ouverts; et que cet Evénement accidentel n’avoit pas servi a INTRODUIRE la lumiere, mais seulement à faire SORTIR l’Obscurité; Distinction qu’il appuyoit de plusieurs Arguments [ingénier?] en m’expliquant comment J’avais pu me laisser trompe par l’Apparence. J’avoue qu’il m’embarassa, mais sans me convaincre; et mes Observations postérieur, dont J’ai fait mention c’y dessus, m’ont Confirmé dans ma premiere Opinion.
Quoiqu’il en soit, cet Evénement m’a suggéré plusieurs Reflections sérieuses, et que Je crois importantes. J’ai considéré que sans lAccident qui m’a éveillé ce Jour la [illegible] matin, j’aurais dormi environ six heures de plus, pendant les quelles

le Soleil donnoit sa Lumiere; et par consequent J’aurois vécu six heures de plus a la Lueur des bougies. Cette derniere maniere de s’éclairer etant beaucoup plus Couteuse que la premiere, mon Gout pour l’Economie m’a conduit a me servir du peu d’Arithmetique que Je sai’s, pour faire quelques Calculs sur cette Matiere; et Je vous les envoye, Messieurs, en vous faisant observer, que la grand mérite d’une Invention est son Utilité; et qu’une Decouverte dont on ne peut faire aucun Usage, n’est bonne a rien.
Je prens pour Base de mon Calcul la Supposition qu’il y a 100 mille familles à Paris qui Consomment chacune, pendant la Duree de la Nuit, et les unes dans les autres, une Demie Livre de Bougie ou de Chandelle par heure. Je crois cette Estimation modéré, car quoique quelques unes consomment moins, il y en a un grand nombre qui consomment beaucoup davantage. Maintenant Je compte environ sept Heures par Jour pendant les quelles nous sommes encore couchés, le Soleil etant sur l’Horison; Car il se leve pendant six Mois entre six et huit heures avant midi, et nous nous éclairons environ sept Heures dans les Vingt quatre, avec des Bougies et des Chandelles. Ces deux faits me fournissent les Calculs suivans.
Les Six Mois du 20 Mars au 20 Septembre me donnent 183 Nuits. Je multiplie ce nombre par sept, pour avoir le nombre des Heures pendant lesquél nous brulons de la Bougie ou de la Chandelle, et J’ai 1281. Ce nombre multiplié par 100 Mille, qui est celui des Familles, donne 128,100,000. heures de Consommation. A Supposer, comme je l’ai dit, une demi Livre de Bougie ou de Chandelle consommée par chaque heure dans chaque Famille, on aura 64,050,000 Livre pesant de Cire ou de Suif, consommées à Paris; et si l’on estime la Cire et le Suif, l’un dans l’autre, au prix moyen de 30 Sols la Livre, on aura une Dépense annuelle de 96,075,000 livres Tournois, en Cire et Suif: Somme enorme! Que la seule Vi[lle] de Paris épargneroit en se servant, pendant les six mois d’été seulement, de la Lumiere du Soleil, au lieu de celle des Chandelles et des Bougies: Et voila, Messieurs, la Decouverte que J’annonce, et la Reforme que Je propose.
Je sais qu’on me dira que l’Attachement aux anciennes Habitudes est un Obstacle invincible a ce qu’on adopte mon Plan; qu’il sera plus que difficile de determiner beaucoup de Gens a

se lever avant 11 heures ou midi; et que par consequant ma Découverte restera parfaitement inutile. Mais Je répondrai, qu’il ne faut desesperer de rien. Je crois que toutes les Personnes raisonables, qui auront lu cette Lettre, et qui par son moyen auront appris qu’il fait jour aussitôt que le Soleil se leve, se determineront a se lever avec lui; et quant aux autres, pour les faire entrer dans la même route, Je propose au Gouvernement de faires les Reglemens suivans.
1° Mettre une Taxe d’un Louis sur chaque fenêtre qui aura des Volets empechant la Lumiere d’entrer dans les Appartements aussitot que le Soleil est sur lHorison.
2° Etablir pour la Consommation de la Cire et de la Chandelle dans Paris, la meme Salutaire lois de Police qu’on a faite pour diminuer la Consommation du Bois pendant lHiver que vient de finir; placer des Gardes a toutes les Boutiques des Ciriers et des Chandeliers, et ne pas permettre a chaque Famille d’user plus dune livre de Chandelle par Semaine.
3° Placer des Gardes qui arrêteront tous les Carosses dans les Rues après la Nuit fermeé, excepté ceux des Médecines, des Chirugiens et des Sages femmes.
4° Faire Sonner toutes les Cloches des Eglises au Lever du Soleil; et si cela n’est pas suffisant, faire tirer un coup de Canon dans chaque Rue pour ouvrir les yeux des Paresseus sur leur veritable Interet.
Toute la Difficulté sera dans les deux ou trois premiers Jours, apres lesquels le nouveau Genre de Vie sera tout aussi naturel et tout aussi commode que l’irrégularité dans laquelle nous vivons; car; il n’y a que le premier pas qui coute. Forcez un Homme de se lever a quatre heures du Matin, il est plus que probable qu’il se Couchera très volontiers a huit heures du Soir; et qu’après

avoir dormi huit heures, il se levera sans peine a quatre Heures le landemain matin.
LEpargne de cette Somme de 96,075,000. livres Tournois qui se depensent en Bougies et Chandelles n’est pas le seul Avantage de mon Economique Projet. Vous pouvez remarquer que mon Calcul n’embrasse qu’une moitié de l’Anneé, et que par les memes raisons on peut épargner beaucoup, même dans les Six mois de lHiver, quoique les jours soient plus courts. J’ajoute que l’immense quantité de Cire et des Suif qui restera apres la Suppression de la Consommation de l’Eté, rendra la Cire et le suif à méllieur marché l’Hiver suivant, et pour l’avenir, tant que la Reforme que je propose se soutiendra.
Quoique ma Découverte puisse procurer de si grands Avantages, je ne demande, pour lavoir communiqueé au public avec tant de Franchise, ni Place, ni Pension, ni Privilege exclusif, ni aucun autre genre de Recompense. Je ne veux que l’honneur qui doit m’en revenir si l’on me rend Justice. Je prevois bien que quelques Esprit étroit et Jaloux me le disputeront; qu’ils diront que les Anciens ont eu cette Ideé avant moi; et peut être trouveront-ils quelques Passages dans de vieux livres pour appuyer leur Prétention. Je ne leur nierai point que les Anciens ont connu en effet les Heures du lever du Soleil; peut être ont-ils eu comme nous des Almanachs ou ces heures etoient marquées; mais il ne s’ensuit pas de là qu’il aient sû ce que je pretens avoir enseigné le premier, qu’il nous éclaire aussitôt qu’il se leve. C’est là ce que je revendique comme ma Decouverte. En tous Cas si les Anciens ont connu cette Verité, elle a été bien oubliée depuis et pendant longtems, car elle est certainement ignoree des modernes, ou au moins des Habitants de Paris; ce que Je prouve par un Argument bien simple. On sait que les Parisiens sont un Peuple aussi éclairé, aussi judicieux, aussi Sage qu’il en existe dans le Monde: Tous, ainsi que moi, ont un grand Goût pour lEconomie, et font proffession de cette Vertu; tous ont de très bonnes Raisons de l’aimer, chargé comme ils le sont des impots très pesants qu’exigent les Besoins de lEtat. Or, cela posé, je dis, qu’il est impossible qu’un Peuple Sage, dans de semblables Circonstances, eut fait si longtems usage de

la Lumiere fuligineuse, malsaine, et dispendieuse, de la Bougie et de la Chandelle, s’il eut connu, comme je viens de l’apprendre et de l’Enseigner, qu’on pouvoit s’éclairer pour rien, de la belle et pure Lumière du Soleil.
Jai l’honneur d’être &a.

Un Abonné.

II.To the AUTHORS of the JOURNAL.

Messieurs,

You often entertain us with accounts of new discoveries. Permit me to communicate to the public through your paper, one that has been lately made by myself, and which I conceive may be of great utility.
I was the other evening in a grand company, where the new lamp of Messrs. Quinquet and Lange was introduced, and much admired for its splendor; but a general enquiry was made, whether the oil it consumed was not in proportion to the light it afforded, in which case there would be no saving in the use of it. No one present could satisfy us in this point, which all agreed ought to be known, it being a very desireable thing to lessen, if possible, the expence of lighting our apartments, when every other article of family expence was so much augmented.
I was much pleased to see this general concern for œconomy; for I love œconomy exceedingly.
I went home, and to bed, three or four hours after midnight, with my head full of the subject. An accidental sudden noise waked me about six in the morning, when I was surprized to find my room filled with light; and I imagined at first that a number of those lamps had been brought into it; but rubbing my eyes I perceived the light came in at the windows. I got up and looked out to see what might be the occasion of it, when I saw the sun just rising above the horizon, from whence he poured his rays plentifully into my chamber, my domestic having negligently omitted the preceding night to close the shutters.
I looked at my watch, which goes very well, and found that it was but six o’clock; and still thinking it something extraordinary that the sun should rise so early, I looked into the almanack, where I found it to be the hour given for his rising on that day. I looked forward too, and found he was to rise still earlier

every day till towards the end of June; and that at no time in the year he retarded his rising so long as till eight o’clock. Your readers, who with me have never seen any signs of sun-shine before noon, and seldom regard the astronomical part of the almanack, will be as much astonished as I was, when they hear of his rising so early; and especially when I assure them that he gives light as soon as he rises; I am convinced of this. I am certain of my fact. One cannot be more certain of any fact. I saw it with my own eyes. And having repeated this observation the three following mornings, I found always precisely the same result.
Yet so it happens, that when I speak of this discovery to others, I can easily perceive by their countenances, though they forbear expressing it in words, that they do not quite believe me. One indeed, who is a learned natural philosopher, has assured me that I must certainly be mistaken as to the circumstance of the light coming into my room; for it being well known, as he says, that there could be no light abroad at that hour, it follows that none could enter from without; and that of consequence my windows being accidentally left open, instead of letting in the light, had only served to let out the darkness; and he used many ingenious arguments to shew me how I might by that means have been deceived. I own that he puzzled me a little, but he did not satisfy me; and the subsequent observations I made, as above-mentioned, confirmed me in my first opinion.
This event has given rise in my mind to several serious and important reflections. I considered that if I had not been awakened so early that morning, I should have slept six hours longer by the light of the sun, and in exchange have lived six hours the following night by candle light; and the latter being a much more expensive light than the former, my love of œconomy induced me to muster up what little arithmetic I was master of, and to make some calculations, which I shall give you, after observing that utility is, in my opinion, the test of value in matters of invention, and that a discovery which can be applied to no use, or is not good for something, is good for nothing.
I took for the basis of my calculation the supposition that there are 100,000 families in Paris, and that these families consume in the night half a pound of bougies, or candles, per hour. I think this a moderate allowance, taking one family with another; for

though I believe some consume less, I know that many consume a great deal more. Then estimating seven hours per day, as the medium quantity between the time of the sun’s rising and ours, he rising during the six following months from six to eight hours before noon; and there being seven hours of course per night in which we burn candles, the account will stand thus:
In the six months between the 20 th of March and the 20 th of September, there are

Nights,
183

Hours of each night in which we burn candles,
   7

Multiplication gives us for the total number of hours,
1,281

These 1281 hours, multiplied by 100,000, the number of families, give
128,100,000

One hundred twenty-eight millions and one hundred thousand hours, spent at Paris by candle-light, which at half a pound of wax and tallow per hour, gives the weight of
64,050,000

Sixty-four millions and fifty thousand of pounds, which, estimating the whole at the medium price of thirty sols the pound, makes the sum of ninety-six millions and seventy-five thousand livres tournois,
96,075,000

An immense sum! that the city of Paris might save every year, only by the œconomy of using sun-shine instead of candles.
If it should be said that people are apt to be obstinately attached to old customs, and that it will be difficult to induce them to rise before noon, consequently my discovery can be of but little use; I answer, nil desperandum. I believe all who have common sense, as soon as they have learnt from this paper that it is day-light when the sun rises, will contrive to rise with him; and to compel the rest, I would propose the following regulations:
First. Let a tax be laid of a louis per window, on every window that is provided with shutters to keep out the light of the sun.
Second. Let the same salutary operation of police be made use of to prevent our burning candles that inclined us last winter to be more œconomical in burning wood; that is, let guards be placed in the shops of all the wax and tallow chandlers, and no family permitted to be supplied with more than one pound of candles per week.

Third. Let guards also be posted to stop all the coaches, &c. that would pass the streets after sun-set, except those of physicians, surgeons, and midwives.
Fourth. Every morning, as soon as the sun rises, let all the bells in every church be set ringing; and if that is not sufficient, let cannon be fired in every street, to wake the sluggards effectually, and make them open their eyes to see their true interest.
All the difficulty will be in the first two or three days; after which the reformation will be as natural and easy, as the present irregularity: for ce n’est que le premier pas qui coute. Oblige a man to rise at four in the morning, and it is more than probable he shall go willingly to bed at eight in the evening; and having had eight hours sleep, he will rise more willingly at four the morning following.
But this sum of ninety-six millions and seventy-five thousand livres, is not the whole of what may be saved by my œconomical project. You may observe, that I have calculated upon only one-half of the year, and much may be saved in the other, though the days are shorter. Besides the immense stock of wax and tallow left unconsumed during the summer, will probably make candles much cheaper for the ensuing winter, and continue cheaper as long as the proposed reformation shall be supported.
For the great benefit of this discovery, thus freely communicated and bestowed by me on the public, I demand neither place, pension, exclusive privilege, or any other reward whatever. I expect only to have the honour of it. And yet I know there are little envious minds who will, as usual, deny me this, and say that my invention was known to the antients, and perhaps they may bring passages out of old books in proof of it. I will not dispute with these people that the antients might know the sun would rise at certain hours; they possibly had, as we have, almanacks that predicted it; but it does not follow from thence that they knew he gave light as soon as he rose. This is what I claim as my discovery. If the antients knew it, it must have been long since forgotten, for it certainly was unknown to the moderns, at least to the Parisians, which to prove, I need use but one plain simple argument. They are as well-instructed, judicious, and prudent a people as exist any where in the world, all professing like myself

to be lovers of œconomy; and from the many heavy taxes required from them by the necessities of the state, have surely an abundant reason to be economical. I say it is impossible that so sensible a people, under such circumstances, should have lived so long by the smoaky unwholesome and enormously-expensive light of candles, if they had really known that they might have had as much pure light of the sun for nothing. I am, &c.

An ABONNÉ.


Title: Franklin and John Jay to David Hartley, 31 March 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin,Jay, John
To: Hartley, David

Sir,
Passy, March 31. 1784

We have now the Pleasure of acquainting you, that the Ratification of the Definitive Treaty is arrived here by an Express from Congress. You have already been informed that the Severity of the Winter in America, which hindred Travelling, had occasion’d a Delay in the assembling of the States. As soon as a sufficient Number were got together, the Treaty was taken into Consideration, and the Ratification pass’d unanimously. Inclos’d you have Copies of the Proclamation issued on the Occasion, and of the recommendatory Resolution. The Messenger was detained at New-York near a Month, by the Ice which prevented the Packet-Boat’s sailing, otherwise he would probably have been here in February. We are now ready to exchange the Ratifications with you, whenever it shall be convenient to you. With great & sincere Esteem, we have the Honour to be, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servants

B FranklinJohn Jay
His Excellency David Hartley Esqr &c &c &c—

Endorsed: Amern Ministers to D H Mar 31 1784


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 31 March 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Passy, March 31. 1784

I have the honour of acquainting Your Excellency, that an Express from Congress is at last arrived, with their Ratification of the Definitive Treaty. Inclosed I send Copies of the President’s Letter, the Recommendatory Resolution, and the Proclamation, together with three Letters for yourself. We have written to Mr Hartley, that we are now ready to make the Exchange. With great Respect, I am, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servant

B. Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, 31 March 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Brillon de Jouy, Anne-Louise Boivin d’Hardancourt

Passy, March 31. 84

Voici, ma trés cher Amie, une de mes Plaisanteries serieuses, ou sourdes, que je vous envoie, esperant qu’elle pourra peutétre vous amuser un peu. Au quel cas, vous me recompenserez en me donnant, je n’ose dire un Baiser, car les votres sont trop precieux, & vous en étes trop chiche; mais vous me jouerez un Noel et l’excellent Marche des Insurgents—

B F.—


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 31 March 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Laurens, Henry

Dear Sir,
Passy, March 31. 1784

The Ratification of the Definitive Treaty is arrived, and we have written to Mr Hartley that we are ready to exchange with him whenever it is convenient to him. Enclos’d you have Copies of the Recommendatory Resolution, Proclamation, & President’s Letter. We imagine Mr Hartley has an Inclination to come hither on the Occasion. Perhaps we are mistaken, and that he would as willingly make the Exchange there. In that Case, as a Duplicate is sent via London, by Major Franks, who probably is arriv’d by this time, and may have delivered it to you, it will be very agreable to us, if you, who are equally impowered, should finish the Business. With great and sincere Esteem, I am, dear Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant

B. Franklin
His Excelly. Henry Laurens Esqr

Endorsed: Doctr Franklin 31st. March 1784 Recd & Answd. 7th. April


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 31 March 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Thomson, Charles

Dear Sir,
Passy, March 31. 1784

I write this Line by the English Packet, just to inform you that Col. Harmar arriv’d here last Monday Evening with the Ratification, &c. and that Mr Jay & myself, (Messrs Adams & Laurens being absent) have written to Mr Hartley at London, that we are ready to exchange with him. I have not heard that the Delay is likely to occasion any Difficulty. I had before communicated to him your Letter of the 5th of January, which gave the Reasons of it. With great Esteem, I am, Dear Friend, Yours most sincerely

B Franklin

Cha. Thomson, Esqr

Addressed: To / Charles Thomson, Esqr / Secretary of Congress / at / Annapolis
Notation: Doctr. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— de Joly, 31 March 1784
From: Joly, —— de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

A Toulouse haut Languedoc31. Mars 1784.
Son excellence

Voudra telle me permetre de luy demender si tous les capitaines de vaisseau du Roy peuvent esperer d’etre admis dans le nombre des cicinnati?
Une vaine curiosité n’excite pas en moy cette question: un interet personnel m’engage de La faire a son excellence.
Mr. joly de Cabenoux (mon gendre) est l’un des capitaines de vaisseau du roy, il comendoit a la derniere campagne Le vaisseau L’indien de 64. et dans les precedentes campagnes, a Boston, a la grenade, a Savanae en amerique, il a toujours combatu et servi sur le meme vaisseau a cotté de M. Le comte D’estaing.
Si son excellence veut bien me faire l’honneur de m’expliquer

ce que les papiers publics ou gazetes ont deja fait entendre a cet egard, elle m’obligera d’autant plus, que j’attends dabord apres les fettes de paques prochaines ma fille et mon gendre en visite.
Je serois bien flaté, si a cette epoque, je le voyois decoré d’une distinction aussi flateuse, surtout des qu’il peut esperer par son etat de revoir quelque jour vos contrees, a La liberté desquels il a côoperé au peril de sa vie.
Je suis avec Respect de son excellence Le trés humble et tres obeissant Serviteur.

De Jolyecuyer rue Montoulieu.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, [March 1784?]
From: Le Roy, Jean-Baptiste
To: Franklin, Benjamin

ce Lundy [March, 1784?]

Pardon Mon Illustre Docteur Si je ne vous ai pas envoyé plutôt La note Sur L’auteur de cette espece de Fourneau où on met le feu par dessus et où la flamme descend et remonte ensuite par un Tuyau de façon qu’on ne voit pas Sans étonnement la fumée Se precipiter en bas et passer ensuite dans le tuyau qui Sert à L’emporter. J’ai été Si occupé depuis Jeudy que bien malgré moi je n’ai pu remplir ma Promesse.
Lauteur de cette espece de Poële est feu M Dalesme reçu à lAcadémie en 1699 et mort en 1727 il a certainement presenté cette espece de Poele à lAcadémie avant 1686 cependant Je n’en

ai point trouvé de description dans ce qu’on appelle nos anciens mémoires et il n’y en est pas même fait mention autrement que par ce que M De la Hire en dit page 692 du Tome 10me de ces anciens mémoires. Mais vous en trouverez la description dans la Collection Académique Tom 1r pag 309 Sous le titre à ce que je crois de Machine pour Consumer la fumée. Au reste vous Savez mon Illustre Docteur que les fours de nos fayenciers Sont échauffés de cette manière on met les buches et le feu dans une espece de berceau fait avec des barres de fer et la fumee et la flamme Se precipitent en dessous et vont passer dans le four &c.
Je Suis désolé Mon Illustre Docteur de ne pouvoir avoir Lhonneur de diner avec vous Jeudy avec Me Le Roy mais nous avons un Engagement qui nous prive de ce plaisir là. Nous Esperons bien que vous voudrez bien nous donner Notre revanche.
Permettez vous que Je vous demande Si M. Barclay votre Consul général dans le Royaume a recu enfin des ordres pour nommer des Consuls particuliers dans Nos villes de commerce et dans les differrentes parties de L’Europe. Parceque Je vous demanderois votre recommandation aupres de lui pour un M. De la Porte qui mest fort recommande et qui a une tres bonne maison de commerce à L’ile de Ténériffe il Souhaiteroit beaucoup davoir Lhonneur d’y etre Le Consul de Messieurs Les Americains.
Vous m’aviez promis Mon Illustre Docteur une certaine Gazette angloise où il est question de ce barbier Juif qu’on a payé

pour monter dans un ballon. Adieu Mon Illustre Docteur Vous Savez combien Je vous suis passionnement attache pour la vie

Le Roy


Title: John Jay: Account of Conversations with Franklin, [March 1784–April 1784]
From: Jay, John
To:

[March–April, 1784]

March 1784

Doctr Franklin, who has lived long & much with Quakers, tells me that he thinks the far greater part of them approve of defensive tho not of offensive War— In the Course of the War wh. ended in 1748, It was thought necessary to erect a Battery at Pha. & a Lottery was made to defray part of the Expence— At that Time the Doctr. was of a fire Company of thirty Members, twenty two of whom were Quakers— They had sixty pounds of public or Company Stock—and the Dr. proposed to lay it out in Lottery Tickets. It was their Custom in all Money Matters to give Notice or make the Motion a Week before its Determination— When the Dr. moved his Proposition Anthy Morris a Quaker Member opposed it strenuously observing that the Friends cd. not apply Money to Purposes of War & that if the Dr. persisted in this Motion, it wd. be the Means of breaking up the Company— The Dr. observed that the Minority must be bound by the Majority, & as the greater part of the Co. were Quakers it wd. be in their power to decide as they pleased.— When the Day for the Determination came, Any Morris was the only Quaker who appd— The Doctr. observing that Circumstance pressed for the Vote, Morris sd. he expected that other Members wd. soon come it, & begd that the Vote might be

deferred for an Hour— While that Matter was in agitation, the Waiter called him out, telling him that two Men below Stairs wanted to speake to him— He found they were two Quakers, Members of the Company— They told him they came from six or seven others who were in a House next Door but one— They came to inquire whether he was strong enough to carry his Mo. [Motion] If not that on being sent for they wd. attend & vote with him—but they whd. to avoid it if possible lest they shd. give offence to certain of the Friends who were more scrupulous on that Head— The Docr. returnd & agreed to Anthony Morris’s Request for another Hour— The Hour elapsed and not a single Quaker appd— The Question was then put and carried.—
While Govr. Thomas was Govr. of Pensylvania shortly after the taking of Louisbourgh by an armarmt. from Boston, advices came to Pha. that the Garrison was in great want of Gun powder— Govr. Thomas communicated it to the Assembly & wanted them to afford Supplies— The Quaker Majority in the assembly wd. not consent to supply any Gun powder—but they granted three thousand pounds to be laid out in Flour Wheat or other Grain for the use of the Garrison— Govr. Thomas said that by other Grain was meant Gun powder— He laid the money out accordingly & nothing was sd. about it.—

March 1784

Doctr. Franklin told me that the Quaker Morris Family of Pha. are descended from anthy Morris a Quaker who came here from England about the Beginning of this Century— It was said among the old People, that he was a natural Son of a Spanish Embassador in England— The Doctr says he always thought he looked a little like a Spaniard— He was an industrious money gathering Man, as well as a rigid Quaker— He once found a friend of his reading a large Book— What says he art thee reading that Book? Why a Man might earn forty Shillings in the Time necessary to read it thro’—

[April, 1784]

Dr. Franklin says he knew the Father & Grandfather of W. Bingham the continental Agent at Martinico— The Grandfather was a Sadler—the Father a mercht.—


Title: John Adams to Franklin and John Jay, 2 April 1784
From: Adams, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin,Jay, John

Gentlemen
The Hague April 2. 1784

I duely received the Letter, you did me the Honour to write me, on the Subject of a Treaty with Prussia and have communicated it to the Baron de Thuelemeier. The King agrees to take the Treaty with Sweeden for a Model and if your Excellencies

have any Alterations to propose I should be obliged to you for the Communication of them. The Baron waits the further Instructions of the King, before he proposes any Additions or Substractions. I should be obliged to your Excellencys for a Copy of the Treaty with Sweeden as I am so unlucky, as not to have one here.
Inclosed is a Copy of a Petition to Congress transmitted me, from Boston by which it appears that the Britons in New York have condemned many Vessells taken after the Commencement of the Armistice.— This Judgment Seems to me to amount to this that a Parrallel of Latitude is not a Circle which surrounds the Globe. If your opinion, Gentlemen is clear upon this head, as I doubt not it is, I think it would be a publick Service to write it to Congress, as this will at least determine the Sufferers to pursue their Rights by Appeal to England. There can be no dispute about it in England I think.
With great Regard

Their Excellencys Benjamin Franklin & John Jay Esqrs


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 2 April 1784
From: Hewson, Mary (Polly) Stevenson
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Black Friars Apr. 2. 1784

I received your kind letter of the 19. of March this morning, and thank you most heartily for it, tho; I confess it lowers our spirits, as it seems to take away the hope of seeing you here. The

papers tell us you are soon to return to America, and I begin to fear you intend to do so without giving a look at poor Old England.
I am much in your debt every way. This morning’s letter is the third I have had from you since I wrote you a single line. I had determined to write by this days post to thank you for the two former letters, and the books with which they were accompanied. You desire me to tell you whether I have received the complete set of l’ami des enfans for the year 1783. We have all but the month of Sepr. Your last packet contained the three last months, and you sent us the first eight in the two former. We are much obliged to you for thinking so constantly of us. My son was highly delighted with your present of the Synonimes François as coming from you, and his French master no less so with the Grammars. I receive instruction from them all. I can assure you my knowledge of the language is greatly increased. My daughter learns of her brother’s master, and for her sake I am attentive to her lessons.
Mr Viny fetched me last tuesday to spend a few days here. The family is all well. We keep up the gothic custom of drinking your health every day, and our best wishes always attend you. Mr Viny is uneasy at not hearing from you since he sent your wheels, which were put on board a vessel for Ostend last December. He fears you either have not received them or are not pleased with them.
Return my cordial Love to your dear children, and believe me Dear Sir your gratefully affectionate

Mary Hewson

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / á Passy / prés de / Paris
Notation: Mary Hewson Apl. 2 1784.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Amelia Barry, 3 April 1784
From: Barry, Amelia
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Dear Sir,
Pisa 3d April 1784.

After I had given Mr. Partridge a letter for you, it occurred to me that we are famous at this Place for making Hare-down Gloves. I take the liberty of entreating your acceptance of 2 pair. If you approve of them have the goodness to signify it to me by a line, and I shall think myself equally honored and obliged by being permitted to supply you with them so long as you and I remain on the Continent.
The Gloves will be presented you by Mr. Mallack, a Gentleman who has spent the early part of his life in the East Indies, and has resided at Pisa some time with his family. He goes to England with Mr. Partridge you will find him very well informed in subjects relative to the E. Indies, which at present engage general attention—and when I add that he is a most worthy man, I am sure he will need no recommendation to my dear Docr. Franklin.
It is an age since I have received the least accounts of my dear Mrs. Bache,—the Papers occasionally give me your news.— I should be mortified at having it in this manner only, were it not for the conviction that the private ought to give place to the Public. Yet tho’ you do not write to me, I am persuaded that no engagements can entirely banish from your remembrance Most Dear Sir, Your affecate. Obliged & devoted

A. Barry.
His Excelly. B. Franklin Esqr.

Endorsed: April 3. 84
Notation: A Barry: 3 April 1784


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 4 March [i.e., April]
From: Brillon de Jouy, Anne-Louise Boivin d’Hardancourt
To: Franklin, Benjamin

ce 4 mars [i.e., April 4, 1784] a paris

Je vous dois mil remercimens mon bon papa de votre joli billét et de votre lettre aux auteurs du journal de paris, mais je vous en devrés deux mil, si vous y joignés l’avis a Ceux qui veulent passer en amérique, j’éspérois aller vous le demander aujourd’hui et m’etablir pour six ou sept mois a passy mais mon pauvre mari a la goutte aux deux jambes, et la guérison de cétte mauditte goutte peut seule nous rendre notre libérte; priés pour lui mon bon papa tout hérétique que vous estes, j’ai plus de foi en vos priéres qu’en toutes celles de nos dérviches; adieu mon ami aimés moi bien et comptés que de toutes célles qui vous ont aimés et vous aiment aucunes ne vous aime autant que moi;
Mil hommages de toute ma famille et complimens a mr votre fils; je lui en veut bien a mr votre fils ainsi qu’au grand voisin et ils doivent bien sçavoir pourquoi.

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Benjamin Franklin / ambassadeur des états unis de / L’amérique / a Passy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Charlotte de Cheminot, 4 April 1784
From: Cheminot, Charlotte de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

paris ce 4 d’avril 1784

Madame de cheminot presente ces civiliteé a monsieur francklin et prend la liberteé de luy mender que demain Lundy 5 d’avril elle profitera de la permission quil a bien voulu luy donner daller dejeuner chez luy elle ŷ menera messieurs le roy gudin quointin qui sont penetree de cette marque de bonte de monsieur francklin.

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur francklin / ministre plenipotentiaire / des etats unis de lamerique / en son hotel / a passy—
Notation: Cheminot 4 avl. 1784


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Witherspoon, 5 April 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Witherspoon, John

Revd Sir,
Passy, April 5. 1784.

I have received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 27th past. It would be a pleasure to me to see you here, but I cannot give you any Expectations of Success in the Project

of obtaining Benefactions for your College. Last Year Messrs. Wheelock came hither with the same Views for their College at Dartmouth in New-England; and they brought a Recommendation signed by a great Number of the principal People of our States. They apply’d to me for Advice & Assistance, and I consulted some knowing prudent Persons, well acquainted with this Country, & Friends of ours. After well considering the Matter, they gave their Opinion that it was by no means adviseable to attempt a Collection here for such a purpose; for tho’ possibly we might get something, it would not be equal to the Expence and Trouble attending the Solicitation; and the very Request would be disgraceful to us, and hurt the Credit of Responsability we wish to maintain in Europe, by representing the United States as too poor to provide for the Education of their own Children.— For my own part, I am persuaded we are fully able to furnish our Colleges amply with every Means of public Instruction, and I cannot but wonder that our Legislatures have generally paid so little Attention to a Business of so great Importance.— One Circumstance in Messrs. Wheelock’s Application here made me somewhat ashamed for our Country. Being ask’d by a Gentleman, what Sums had been subscribed or Donations made by the many eminent Persons who had sign’d the Recommendation, they were not able to say that more than one had given any thing.— Meeting with no Encouragement from any other Quarter here, they went to Holland & England. What Success they had in those Countrys, I have not heard. With great Esteem & Respect, I have the honour to be Revd Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant

B. Franklin
Revd Dr Witherspoon


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Trumbull, 5 April 1784
From: Trumbull, Jonathan
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honord. sir,
Lebanon Connecticut 5th. April 1784—

I take the liberty to introduce Messrs. Gerrey, and Buckingham, the Bearers to your kind notice to advise means for thier recovering some money due on some French Bills of Exchange, which they lost by accident and were accepted for payment premiture to thier presentation: probably you may put ’em in a way for to assert thier Rights if the evidence they have procured is sufficient— The young men, are of good Families, and young men of good reputation—and your assistance in thier matter, wou’d be gratefully acknowledged by them, and at the same time wou’d gratify the request, Honord. Sir, of your obedient, humble Servant,

Jonth; Trumbull
Benjamin Franklin Esqr.

Addressed: The / Honorable Benjamin Franklin Esqr.— / Minister, / from the United states of / America, at the Court of / France.—
Notation: J. Trumbull 5. Apl. 1784.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 6 April 1784
From: Price, Richard
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Dear Friend
Newington-Green Ap. 6th. 1784

I have been long intending to write to you, and I feel ashamed that I have not done it Sooner. Your letter wch: was brot: me by Mr Bingham gave me great pleasure. It inclosed a case for an air Balloon and a print wch:, in conformity to your desire, I deliver’d to the President of the Royal Society. Soon after Mr Bingham’s arrival, Mr Daggs brot: me your paper on a Mathematical prize Question proposed by the Royal Academy of B——. I convey’d this to Dr Priestley, and we have been entertained with the pleasantry of it and the ridicule it contains.
The discovery of air Balloons Seems to make the present time a new Epoch; and the last year will, I Suppose, be always distinguish’d as the year in which mankind begun to fly in France. Nothing has yet been done herein this way of any consequence— In the Royal Society a great part of the winter has been employ’d in a manner very unworthy of Philosophers. An opposition has been formed to the President. Motions for censuring him have been repeatedly made at our weekly meetings, and Supported by Dr Horseley, the Astronomer Royal, Mr Maseres, Mr Maty &c. &c. and these motions have produced long and warm debates. Lately there has been a suspension of these debates, but there is now Some danger that they may be revived again, for Mr Maty has just resigned his place of Secretary in resentmt:.
In your letter you have intimated that you then entertained Some thots: of visiting London in the Spring. This is much wished for by your friends here; and, particularly, by the Club at the London-Coffee-House wch: you have so often made happy by your company. Dr Priestley intends coming to London from

Birmingham in about a fortnight, but could he reckon upon the pleasure of meeting you in London at any time he would contrive to come up at that time. He has, I find, been chosen a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris. This is indeed a Singular honour, and it must give him particular pleasure.
I can Scarcely tell you with what emotions of concern I have heard that you have for Some time been Suffering under Symptoms of the Stone. What a Sad calamity it is to be visited in the last Stage of life by so dreadful a distemper? Dreadful I know it to be from experience. I have, however, been so happy as to discharge the Stone; and my only present trouble is the Sad State of health into which my wife is fallen. About a month ago She was Struck a third time with Paralytic Symptoms. She is extremely debilitated, and I live in a constant State of painful apprehension about her. She hopes you will accept her best respects.
Political affairs in this country are at present in great confusion. The King, after dismissing from his Service the leaders of the late odious coalition, and appointing other ministers in their room to the great joy of the kingdom, has at last found it necessary, in order to maintain the new ministers in power and to carry on the public business, to dissolve the Parliamt:. We are, therefore, now in the midst of the heat and commotion of a general Election; and Such is the influence of governmt: on Elections and also the present temper of the people, that probably the new ministers will have a great majority in their favour in the new Parliamt:— The more wise and virtuous part of the nation are Struggling hard to gain a Parliamentary reform; and

think, with great reason, that while the Representation continues Such a mockery as it is, no change of ministers can do us much good. But an equal representation is a blessing wch: probably we Shall never obtain till a convulsion comes which will dissolve all governmt: and give an opportunity for erecting a new frame.
In America there is, I hope, an opening for a better State of human affairs. Indeed I look upon the Revolution there as one of the most important events in the History of the world. Wishing, for the Sake of mankind that the united States may improve properly the advantages of their Situation, I have been lately employing myself in writing Sentimts of caution and advice which I mean to convey to them as a last offering of my goodwill. I know I am by no means qualified for Such a work; nor can I expect that any advice I can give will carry much weight with it, or be much worth their acceptance. I cannot however Satisfy my own mind without offering it, Such as it i[s].
I always think of your friendship with particular Satisfaction, and consider it as one of the honours and blessings of my life. You have attained an eminence of credit and usefulness in the world to which few can aspire. That it may be continued as long as the course of nature will allow, and that you may enjoy every comfort that can make you most happy is, Dear Sr, the Sincere wish of yours most affectionately

Richd: Price

Should Mr Jay or Mr Adams be at Paris, be so good as to deliver my respectful remembrances to them when you See them. You probably well remember Mr Paradise, a friend of Sr Willm: Jones’s and a very worthy man, who has considerable property in Virginia and to whom you have been kind. He has lately been in great trouble. The folly, ill temper and extravagance of his wife produced for Some weeks a Separation between him

and her and made him one of the most unhappy men I ever Saw. But they are now come together again.

Addressed: Benjamin Franklin Esq: / At Passy / Near Paris


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Laurens, 7 April 1784
From: Laurens, Henry
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir.
Bath 7th April 1784.

I had the honor of addressing you under the 31st Ulto, by the hands of my Son, who I hope will pay his Respects at Passy the present Day. This Morning I am favored with yours of the same Date, enclosing the several Copies of Papers from Congress, which you have enumerated, & also an open Letter to Charles Thompson Esqr, not mentioned. From the Contents of which, I presume you intended it should go by the April Packet from Falmouth. I shall therefore seal & send it forward by to-morrow Nights, which will be the first Post. It will arrive at Falmouth exactly in time, according to the Rule of making up the Mail in London.
I have written to Mr Hartley upon the Business of the Ratification, & lodged in his hands a Letter for Major Franks— Should Mr Hartley prefer making the necessary Exchange on this side the Water, I shall be ready to attend him upon the first Intimation of his Pleasure. I have requested Mr Bourdieu, who will probably be the Bearer of this, to take with him some of

the latest Newspapers for your Perusal, you will at least see how the Elections go forward, except which there is very little in them worth Notice.
I continue in very infirm health, but in sound & perfect Mind & Memory of the Esteem & Regard with which I have the honor to be. Dear Sir. Your obedt hble Servt.

Henry Laurens
His Excellency. Benj. Franklin Esquire Passy.

Addressed: His Excellency. / Benjamin Franklin Esqr. / Minister Plenipotentiary from / the United States of America at / the Court of France / Passy. / [Notation by Bourdieu?:] Forwarded from Dover, 10th. April 1784 by J.B.
Endorsed: Recd April 14.


Title: David Hartley to the American Peace Commissioners, [9 April 1784]
From: Hartley, David
To: American Peace Commissioners

Gentlemen,
[April 9, 1784]

I have received the honour of your Letter dated March 31. 1784 with the enclosures, wch. I have communicated to his Majesty’s Ministers. I have the Pleasure to inform you that the Ratification on our Part, is now making out, and that I have received orders to prepare for the Exchange at Paris with all convenient Speed.
Before my Departure I shall propose such general Sentiments for the Consideration of his Majesty’s Ministers, as have occurred to me in our former Negotiations; my utmost Wish at all times being to give every possible Assistance in my power to effect a cordial & conciliatory Intercourse & Connexion between our Countries.
I have the honour to be Gentlemen, Your Excellencies most obedt. humble Servt.

(signed) D. Hartley.
Copy of a Letter from D. Hartley Esqr. to the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America &c. dated London April 9. 1784.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Uriah Forrest, 10 April 1784
From: Forrest, Uriah
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
London 10. April 1784.

The enclosed came to my hands this day and as it appears to have met with rough treatment on it’s Passage I have done myself the Honor to put it under Cover.
Shou’d there be any thing at this place which your Excellency can Charge me with that will be usefull to yourself or Our Country It will afford me real pleasure Being with all possible Respect Yr. Excellency’s Most Obedt. & Very hble St.

Uriah Forrest

Addressed: His Excellency B. Franklin Esquire / Ministre Plena. of the United States / Passy / near / Paris.—
Notation: Uriah Toncet 10 April 1784—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Julien-David Le Roy, [10–11 April 1784]
From: Le Roy, Julien-David
To: Franklin, Benjamin

This is the first known letter to Franklin from Julien-David Le Roy, one of the three brothers of Franklin’s close friend and neighbor Jean-Baptiste. Franklin had met the brothers during his first visit to Paris in 1767. Julien-David, though best known as an architect, was also an expert on ancient ship design and navigation. He had begun studying lateen (triangular) sails in the 1760s, and presented his first paper on the subject in 1770. In 1782, he conducted a series of experiments designed to prove the advantages of using ancient sail designs on modern vessels. On September 24 of that year, with Franklin as a witness, he sailed a small boat rigged with lateens down the Seine from Paris and performed dexterous maneuvers in front of the Hotel de Valentinois. Julien-David described those trials in a work published at the end of 1783, Les Navires des anciens, in which he paid homage to Franklin as “le pere de tant de découvertes.”
Franklin began a written response to what he called Le Roy’s “learned Writings on the Navigation of the Antients” in February, 1784, proposing to offer his own thoughts on sail design. Before having completed those thoughts, however, he put the letter down, and only

resumed it during his voyage to Philadelphia in August, 1785. As the weeks wore on and more ideas occurred to him, Franklin expanded his letter to Le Roy into the paper now commonly known as “Maritime Observations,” which he submitted to the American Philosophical Society upon his arrival.
Les Navires des anciens contained an appendix in which Le Roy wrote a series of speculations on how balloons could be useful in a maritime context: to save shipwrecked sailors, to improve naval maps, to explore ocean currents, and even to function as sails. In the spring of 1784 he wrote a memoir that expanded on those ideas, attempting in part to lend his expertise to the problem of how to steer balloons. He sent that memoir to Franklin under cover of the present letter.

Monsieur,
[April 10–11, 1784]

Vos profondes connoissances dans la Physique et dans les Arts, le génie également Simple et Sublime qui vous en a fait tirer des résultats si utiles et si nouveaux, et l’intérêt que vous prenez à mes recherches sur la Marine; m’enhardissent à vous Soumettre quelques idées que j’ai eues sur les moyens de diriger l’Aérostat.

Ces moyens different essentiellement les uns des autres. Je n’aurai l’honneur, Monsieur, de vous en proposer qu’un petit nombre, parceque, d’après vos principes, j’ai rejetté tous ceux qui se présentant à mon esprit, ne m’ont pas paru marqués au caractere de Simplicité qu’on observe dans les inventions les plus utiles aux hommes./.

Addressed: A Monsieur Frankclin, / Ambassadeur et Ministre plénipotentiaire / des Etats Unis de L’Amerique.

Julien-David Le Roy’s Designs for Improving Hot-Air Balloons


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from La Condamine, 12 April 1784
From: La Condamine, Antoine La Sablière de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

à calet. le 12. avril 1784.

Que je vous sçais gré, monsieur, d’avoir bien voulu prendre la peine de me répondre, malgré les grandes et importantes occupations dont je vous suppose environné! Vos travaux littéraires et politiques m’avoient inspiré pour vous, monsieur, de profonds sentimens de respect et d’estime; vous venez d’y ajoûter ceux de l’amour et de la reconnoissance; je vous admirois, je vous respectois comme un grand-homme, je vous vénère, je vous chéris maintenant comme un père!— Pardonnez, monsieur, je vous supplie, cet épanchement naïf d’un cœur trop plein.
Ce que vous me dites, monsieur, au sujet de comus, de mesmer, des remèdes & des malades m’a paru très raisonnable et

très vrai; cela pourroit me fournir matiere à bien des réflexions, je les supprime pour ne pas abuser de vôtre complaisance ni de vos momens précieux.
J’avois oublié dans ma précédente lettre de vous parler aussi, dès prodiges prétendus du chevalier graham à londres, de sa musique divine, de son lit célestial, &c &c— c’est bien une autre histoire, cela! Si tout ce qu’on en débite étoit vrai, les comus et les mesmer ne seroient que de bien petits garçons auprès de lui; mais je ne vois dans tout ce merveilleux prétendu que du charlatanisme raffiné pour éblouir les sots et faire des dupes.
Vous ne mavez rien répondu, monsieur, au sujet du voyage de paris?— Je suis cependant décidé àa le faire, dès que l’état de mes finances et de ma santé pourront me le permettre, ne fut-ce que pour jouir du bonheur de vous voir, et de vous présenter mes hommages en personne. Alors je pourrai dire comme le st. homme simeon: nunc dimitte, &c.
Voici encore, monsieur, une rapsodie fruit de l’oisiveté d’un pauvre convalescent, que je prends la liberté de vous addresser. Je vous prie, monsieur, si vous jugez à propos de la faire insèrer dans le journal encyclopédique dans lequel a été consignée

l’annonce qui y a donné lieu, je vous prie, dis-je, d’avoir la bonté de l’envoyer aux auteurs, ou au bureau du dit journal.
Je suis avec un profond respect, Monsieur Votre très humble et obéissant serviteur

LA CONDAMINE

P.S. J’avois demandé des renseignemens sur l’origine de bletton &c. à un homme à portée de s’instruire sur les lieux; j’en reçois la réponse dans le moment, et je la joins ici, pour que vous puissiez, monsieur, voir et juger par vous-même. Vous y verrez que le berceau de bletton, comme celui de tous les hommes extraordinaires, a été entouré d’une espèce de merveilleux:— qu’en faut-il croire?— C’est à vous, monsieur, qu’il appartient de prononcer. Au reste, je ne sâche pas qu’il soit question de ces sortes de gens-là dans les autres pays, les françois auroient-ils ce privilége exclusif, et parmi ceux-cy, les dauphinois seroient-ils plus spécialement privilégiés que ceux des autres provinces du royaume?
Cette question (supposé qu’il y ait lieu à la faire) pourroitêtre ajoûtée à la fin de mon mémoire.

Pardon, monsieur, j’abuse de votre patience, et je finis en vous réiterant les assûrances de tous les sentimens dont je suis pénétré pour vôtre sçavoir, votre mérite et vos vertus.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 15 April 1784
From: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric
To: Franklin, Benjamin

M.
Lahaie 15e. Avr. 1784

Je continue d’adresser à V.E. [Votre Excellence] la Lre. cijointe pour le Congrè’s, vous priant, M, après l’avoir lue de vouloir bien la fermer & lui donner cours par premier Navire qui fera voile pour le Continent.
J’ai tiré le 5 de ce mois sur V.E. le semestre de mon salaire échu le 30 Juin prochain, savoir come à l’ordinaire £2700 tournois à une usance à l’ordre de Mrs. Wm. & Jn. Willink d’Amstm., à laquelle Traite il plaira à V.E. de faire en son temps l’honneur accoutumé.
Il y a longtemps que j’ignore, Monsieur, l’état de votre Santé Daignez en instruire celui qui est avec le respectueux attachement que vous connoissez.

Passy à S. E. [Son Excellence] Mr. Franklin M. P. [Ministre Plénipotentiaire]


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 16 April 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Passy, April 16. 1784—

We duly receiv’d (Mr Jay & me) the Letters you did us the honour of writing to us the 27th of March & the 2d Instant. We shall transmit, as you desire, the Recommendation of Mr Browne to Congress; and enclos’d we send a Copy of the Treaty with Sweden.
We expect Mr Hartley here very soon, to exchange the Ratifications of the Definitive Treaty; when we shall endeavour to obtain an Explanatory Article relating to the Limits & Term of Captures. The Form used in the last Treaty is precisely the same that has been used in all the Treaties of Peace since that of Nimeguen; and I therefore imagined that Cases must have arisen at the End of every War, in which it was necessary to decide on the Meaning of that Form of Words wherein the

Canary Islands are mention’d; and I desir’d Mr Barclay when he went to London to procure from the Records of the Admiralty Court some of those Cases as decided there; but he tells me none are to be found. May there not be some in Holland? I should suppose they must have been adjudg’d by the Parallel of Latitude of those Islands; and I should be glad to have such a Decision to produce to Mr Hartley.
With great Respect, I have the honour to be Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servant

B Franklin
His Excellency John Adams, Esqr

Endorsed: Dr Franklin 16. Ap. ansd. 20. 1784


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 16 April 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Thomson, Charles

Dear Friend,
Passy, April 16. 1784—

I received your kind Letters by Colonel Harmar, & Lieut. Col. Franks; with the Dispatches in good Order; Triplicates of which are since come to hand. You will see by our Letter to the President, that we daily expect Mr Hartley from London with the British Ratification to exchange with us. There was no Difficulty occasion’d by the Lapse of the Term. I send you herewith four Packets of Newspapers, by which you will be inform’d of the Confusions that have reign’d all Winter in England, and the Probability of their being finish’d by the Choice of a new Parliament, in which the present Ministry will have a great Majority.— The N. [News] Papers are directed for the Presidt.
You are good in excusing the Trouble I have given you with so many little Affairs & Enquiries, and for enabling me to give

some Answer to the Persons who make them. I am pester’d continually with such Matters.
I am happy to learn from you, that a Disposition begins to prevail in the States to comply with the Requisitions of Congress, and to grant Funds for the regular Payment of the Interest, and Discharge of the Principal of the Debts contracted by the War. Punctuality and exact Justice will contribute more to our Reputation, & of course to our Strength, than People generally imagine. Without those Virtues we shall find it difficult, in case of another War, to obtain either Friends or Money; and a Reliance on that may encourage and hasten another Attack upon us.— Gratitude to our former Benefactors is another Point we should seize every Opportunity of demonstrating. I place with you much Confidence in the good Sense of our Countrymen, and thence I hope that the Endeavours of some Persons on both sides the Water to sow Jealousies and Suspicions, and create Misunderstandings between France and us, will be ineffectual.
A Commission from Congress for a commercial Treaty with Britain has long been expected. If the Intention of sending such a Commission is not changed, I wish it may arrive before Mr Laurens leaves us, who has a more perfect Knowledge of the Subject than any of us, and might be greatly useful.—
A Minister from Denmark has been waiting in Paris all Winter for the Result of Congress on the propos’d Treaty, a Plan of which was long since sent; as also one for a Treaty with Portugal.— I hope by the Return of the Washington Pacquet, we may receive some Directions respecting them.
I am, with sincere & great Esteem, my dear Friend, Yours most affectionately

B Franklin
Cha. Thomson, Esq;

Endorsed: Letter Doct B Franklin April 16. 1784 Recd. July 30. 1784


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 16 April 1784
From: Coffyn, Francis
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Hond. Sir.
Dunkerque 16. April 1784.

I had the honnor to address your Excellency on the 6th. inst, whereunto I beg leave to refer. This cheafly Serves to enclose a Copy of a letter I Just now received from my friend M. Bodin at Lille, to whom I wrote to enquire about the price of Bells. If that which was offer’d me here at 30 s. per pound all charges included, as mentioned in my Said letter, would Sute, it would be preferable to those at Lille, where they demand 34 s. per lb. exclusif of the duty & the expences of transporting it here; The Three Bells my friend mentions that are to be Sold in the course of Eight days are I apprehend too large, if not I beg your Excellency will favour me with his orders per return of the post, & rely on my attention to execute the Same. Interim I have the honnor to remain very respectfully. Your Excellencys Most obedient & most humble Servant

F. Coffyn
His Excy. Dr. B. Franklin at Passi

Notation: Coffyn, Dunkerque 16 Avril 1784.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Withering, [before 17 April 1784]
From: Withering, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[before April 17, 1784]

Believing the passing of the stone to be impossible, the extraction of it unadvisable, and that no known medicine can dissolve

it, I shall turn my attention to such methods as will be most likely to prevent its increase. These consist in
Encouraging perspiration, in order to pass off as much as possible of the excrementitious animal matter through the pores of the skin, and to leave less to be discharged with the urine.
Strengthening the solvent powers of the bile, by which the excrementitious part of the urine is rendered soluble in its watery part.
Diluting freely, as well with a view of supporting an abundant insensible perspiration, as of supplying a sufficient proportion of watery menstruum to the kidneys and bladder.
To fulfil these intentions, I advise the patient
To wear a flannel shirt next his skin.
To use a warm bath once a fortnight or three weeks, and whilst in the bath to have the skin chafed with a piece of coarse cloth.
To avoid those exposures which check the insensible perspiration.
Eat a plentiful dinner of animal food, using salt freely, and every vegetable except those usually eaten without boiling. All the onion tribe are particularly recommended: ripe fruits are not included in the exception. Supper, a basin of gruel, well impregnated with onions. Fruit will be best eaten an hour or two before dinner. Strawberries, two or three pints a day through the season, if the bowels will bear them in such quantity.
To dilute freely, with
Spring water, hard or soft. Chalybeate waters, as those of Spa or Pyrmont. Wine in moderation; but good small beer is one of the best liquors.
Infuse an ounce of liquorice-root, sliced in a pint of boiling water, all night: to drink one half fasting every morning, the other half at bed-time.
I hardly know a medicine I wish you to take.

If again troubled with kidney concretions, you will probably find that fifty drops of balsam of capivi, taken twice a day, will prevent their further formation. Equal weights of essential oil of juniper and sweet spirit of nitre, mixed with an equal bulk of mucilage of gum arabic, I have sometimes thought useful in detaching the looser lamina of stones. I direct two spoonfuls of the mixture to be taken daily in half a pint of small ale: to some patients it proves too heating.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 17 April 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hartley, David

Dear Sir
Passy April 17 1784

The Commissioners have received the Letter you did them the honour of writing to them the 9th Instant, and are glad to learn that they may expect the Pleasure of seeing you soon again at Paris. It is a particular Satisfaction to me, as it will give me an opportunity of communicating an Idea to you in Conversation which may tend to promote your excellent views of “effecting a cordial & conciliatory Intercourse between our Countries,” but which I cannot so well explain at present by writing.
The Bearer, Col. Harmar, is an American of good Character, who visits England in Curiosity to see the Country and People he has been fighting against. I wish to give him a good Opinion of them by the Sample he may be acquainted with, and therefore beg leave to recommend him to your Acquaintance & Civilities. With great & inalterable Esteem & Affection I am ever my dear Friend Yours most sincerely

B Franklin
David Hartley Esqr


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens, 17 April 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Laurens, Henry

Dear Sir,
Passy, April 17. 1784.

I have received your Favours of March 28. and April 7.— I am glad that Mr Hartley’s being luckily at Bath, sav’d you the Fatigue of a Journey to London. His Letter to you, of which you sent us a Copy, was very satisfactory. By one he has written to us, of the 9th Instant, we find that he expects to be here in a few Days.—
I have not yet had the Pleasure of seeing Mr. Bourdieu, and apprehend he is either gone back to London, or has taken some other Route, as I find on the Back of your last, “Forwarded from Dover, 10 th April by J.B.” Your Son went well from hence the Day after his Arrival here.—
I thank you much for your Remarks on the Considerations, &c. They appear to me very judicious & just, and show so extensive a Knowledge of the Subject, that I regret exceedingly your Purpose of leaving Europe before the Commercial Treaty is settled; and if the Commission for that Treaty arrives soon, as I expect it will in the Washington, I hope you will conclude to stay and see that important Business finished. The Congress, tho’ they have given you leave to return, appear by all their Letters to consider you still in their Service, and Mr Grand holds himself ready to pay the Continuance of your Salary as you shall demand it. We are none of us otherwise paid at present, for they have omitted sending us any Bills since June last. You have not mention’d to me the Name of the Author of the Considerations. Is it a Secret?—
I sympathise with you in the Loss of your Papers in America, I too having lost a great Part of mine there: But I cannot with the same Justice as you do blame the Enemy. It was my own Imprudence, in trusting them to the Care of a pretended Convert to our Cause, who after my Departure for France went over to the Enemy.

Mr Jay is preparing for his Departure, and Mr Adams is still in Holland, and likely to continue there some time, being engag’d in forming the Plan of a Treaty with another Power.—
My Grandson joins in best Wishes for your and the young Lady’s Health and Happiness, with Dear Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant

B. Franklin
His Excy. H. Laurens Esqr

Endorsed: Doctr. Franklin 17th. April 1784 Recd 26th Answd. 6 May.