Title: The American Peace Commissioners: Acceptance of the British Declaration of the Cessation of Hostilities, [20 January 1783]
From: American Peace Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Adams, John,Jay, John,Laurens, Henry
To:

When Franklin, Adams, and William Temple Franklin arrived at Vergennes’ office at ten o’clock on the morning of January 20, they learned that Fitzherbert and Aranda would arrive at eleven to conclude the preliminary peace agreements between France and Great Britain, and Great Britain and Spain. After examining and signing those documents, Fitzherbert (in lieu of Oswald, who had been called back to England) presented Franklin and Adams with a declaration of an armistice. Their reciprocal declaration, the present document, incorporated his text. The two documents were signed, sealed, and exchanged. Adams commented in his diary, “Thus was this mighty System terminated with as little Ceremony, and in as short a Time as a Marriage Settlement.”
The Americans returned to Paris, where they dined with the duchesse d’Enville and the duc de La Rochefoucauld. The latter recalled Franklin telling him as they embraced, “Pouvois-je espérer, à mon âge, de jouir d’un pareil bonheur?”
Vergennes related the news to Lenoir at three o’clock in the afternoon, and the lieutenant général de police saw to it that the information was disseminated in cafés and theaters. That evening at the Théâtre-Français, the renowned comedian Molé announced that the company would perform L’Anglois à Bordeaux the following Saturday, in honor of the peace. This one-act play by Charles-Simon Favart had been composed in March, 1763, in honor of the signing of the Treaty of Paris; its allusions were updated for this reprise.

[January 20, 1783]
Nous soussignés Ministres Plenipotentiaires des Etats-Unis de l’Amerique Septentrionale, aïant reçu de la Part de M. Fitzherbert Ministre Plenipotentiaire de sa Majesté Britanique une Declaration relative a une suspension d’Armes a établir entre sa de. [dite] Majesté et les dits Etats dont la teneur s’ensuit.

“Comme les Articles Preliminaires arrettés et signés aujourd’hui entre sa Majesté le Roi de la Grande Bretagne et sa Majesté le Roi très Chretien d’une Part, et aussi entre sa dite Majesté Britanique et sa Majesté Catholique d’autre Part, renferment la Stipulation de la Cessation des Hostilités entre ces trois Puissances; laquelle doit commencer après l’Echange des Ratifications des dits Articles Préliminaires; Et comme par le Traité Provisionel signé le trente Novembre dernier, entre sa Majesté Britanique et les Etats Unis de l’Amerique Septentrionale; il a été stipulé, que ce Traité sortiroit son Effet aussitot que la Paix entre les des. [dites] Couronnes seroit retablie, Le sousigné, Ministre Plenipotentiaire de sa Majesté Britanique, declare au Nom et par Ordre exprès du Roi son Maitre, que les dits Etats Unis de l’Amerique Septentrionale, leurs Sujets et leurs Possessions seront compris dans la Suspension d’Armes susmentionée, et qu’ils jouiront en Consequence du Benéfice de la Cessation des Hostilités aux mêmes Epoques, et de la meme maniere que les trois Couronnes susdites leurs Sujets et leurs Possessions respectives, le tout a Condition, que de la Part et au Nom des dits Etats Unis de l’Amerique Septentrionale il soit delivré une Declaration semblable qui constate leur Assentiment a la presente Suspension d’Armes et renferme l’Assurance de la plus parfaite Reciprocité de leur Part.
“En foi de quoi, Nous Ministres Plenipotentiaire de sa Majesté Britanique, avons signé la presente Declaration, et y avons fait aposer le Cachet de nos Armes.
A Versailles le 20 Janr. 1783.
(signé) Alleyne Fitz-Herbert”    L.S.

Avons au Nom des dits Etats Unis de l’Amerique septentrionale, et en Vertu des Pouvoirs dont ils nous ont munis, accepté la Declaration ci dessus; l’acceptons par ces Presentes purement et simplement, et declarons reciproquement que les dits Etats feront cesser toutes hostilités contre sa Majesté Britanique ses Sujets et ses Possessions aux Termes et aux Epoques convenus entre sa de. [dite] Majesté le Roi de la Grande Bretagne sa Majesté le Roi de France et sa Majesté le Roi d’Espagne, ainsi et de la meme maniere qu’il a été convenu entre ces trois Couronnes, et pour produire le meme Effet.
En foi de quoi Nous Ministres Plenipotentiaires des Etats-Unis de l’Amerique septentrionale avons signé la Presente Declaration et y avons apposé les Cachets des nos Armes. A Versailles le Vingt Janvier mil sept Cent quatre vingt trois.

John Adams }
signé
{ B. Franklin

L.S.

L.S.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Louis-Julien Garos, 20 January 1783
From: Garos, Louis-Julien
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monseigneurà fontenay Le comte Le 20. Janvier 1783.
Quil me Soit permis d’implorer votre protection pour un particulier françois d’origine Résidant depuis très Long-tems à philadelphie. Je vais, Monseigneur, vous mettre Sous les yeux les faits tels quils Se Sont passés, afin que vous puissiez Juger Si ce particulier peut tirer de la position où Il Se trouve tous les avantages quil paroit S’en promettre. Voicy ce dont Il S’agit.
Le Sr. françois Geay originaire des Environs de cette ville, Servoit Il y a plus de quarante ans dans les troupes de france, Il y Etoit Encore En 1743, car au mois de Juin de la même année Il fut Blessé dangéreusement à la Bataille d’ettingen. Fatigué du Service, Il déserta. Il le fit même, Si Je ne me trompe avec armes Et Bagage. Il passa En hollande, L’à Il S’embarqua Et fut fixer Son Sejour à philadelphie, où Il a toujours Résidé depuis. Il S’y Est même marié. Il ne luy Reste plus icy qu’une Soeur. Tous Ses autres freres Sont morts depuis Son passage à L’amerique. Ces morts Successives ont ouvert differentes Successions aux quelles aujourdhuy comme ainé Il auroit la meilleure part. Sa Soeur S’est mise En possession de la totalité de ces Successions, quoyquelle ne veuille point, Monseigneur, l’en priver S’il y a droit. Elle veut cependant Etre assurée avant de luy En faire l’abandon, Sil Est fondé à les Reclamer ou non. C’est moy, Monseigneur, qui ay Instruit le dit Sr. Geay des Evénemens arrivés dans Sa famille. Il m’a fait passer Ses pouvoirs, pour que j’eusse à toucher pour luy les portions qui pouvoient luy Revenir. Je les ay demandées, mais on m’objecte quil Est inhabile à Succeder En france au moyen de Sa désertion Et de ce quil n’a pas profité des differentes amnisties quil a plû aux Roix d’accorder.
Comme je ne veux point que Mr. Geay puisse me Reprocher de n’avoir pas Repondu autant quil Etoit En moy à Sa confiance, les difficultés qui S’elevent En ce moment à Son Egard, m’ont fait prendre la liberté, Monseigneur, de vous adresser celle cy, pour Vous Supplier, En cas que vous Jugiez que la désertion du Sr. Geay le Rend Inhabile à Succéder En france, D’employer vos Bons offices auprès du gouvernement pour obtenir Son pardon, Et luy procurer les moyens de Rentrer En possession des héritages, qui, Sans Cette Raison, luy Sont Incontestablement acquis par les Loix de la nature.
Je ne vous terrai pas, Monseigneur, que Monsieur Livingston m’a fait L’honneur de Répondre à une lettre que J’avois adressée à Nos Seigneurs du congrès à ce Sujet. Il a Eû la complaisance de Menvoyer L’art. 13. du traité d’alliance fait Entre la france Et les Etats unis de L’amerique. Cet article a bien quelque Relation à la question que J’ay L’honneur de vous proposer, mais Il ne l’a decide pas. Il Est même En quelque Sorte contraire à la prétention de Mr. Geay, car Il y Est dit à la fin: Mais Est convenû En même tems que Son contenû n’apportera nulle atteinte aux loix promulguées En france contre les Emigrations où qui pouront Etre promulguées dans la Suite, les quelles demeureront dans toute Leur force Et vigueur.
Deignez, Monseigneur, donner quelque attention, à ceque Je prens La liberté de vous marquer. C’est la grace que vous demande au nom du Sr. Geay, celuy qui à L’honneur d’etre avec un très profond Respect Monseigneur Votre très humble Et très obeissant Serviteur
GarosConseiller du Roy Elû à fontenay le comte

Notation: Garos, 20 Janvr. 1783.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Millet, 20 January 1783
From: Millet, ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieurparis ce 20 Janvier 1783
J’ai lhonneur de Vous adressér cy joint Le Mémoire des Marchandises d’Epicéries que je Vous ait fournie, jespere que Vous Vouderez bien Employer Votre autorité pour Scavoir ce qu’est devenus Le S. duchemin Votre Me. d’hotel ne le connoissant point jaurais crû Manquer Si jeû refuses crédit Sachant que Les Marchandises etoient pour Votre consommation, et La justice dont Vous êtes Le Modêle me rassure que je ne perderez point cette Somme. Jai vû m Sude auquel Vous aviez recomandé le S. duchemin pour le faire entrer a La charité mais il ne La point Vu et est tres faché d’avoir manqué cet occasion de Vous prouver son Sincere Attachement.
Jai lhonneur dêtre avec Un Tres profond respect Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur
MilletEpicier droguiste rue betizy [Béthisy] a paris

Par les recherches que jai faites jai Scû que le nommé jourdain Votre porteur d’Eau, et qui reste au Nouvelle Eau avait conduit ses malles a La Villette. Il est partie pour compiegne et est Surement chez son frere a lhotel Barillet rue du Vieux pont A Compiegne.
Jai tout Lieu desperer Monsieur que Voulant employer Votre crédit il ne balencera point a payer.


Title: Editorial Note on Franklin’s Accounts, 1783
From:
To:

The following previously identified accounts cover the period of this volume: VI and VII (XXIII, 21); XVII (XXVI, 3); XIX and XXII (XXVIII, 3–4); XXV, XXVII, and XXVIII (XXXII, 3–4); XXX (XXXVI, 3); and XXXI (XXXVIII, 3). We offer here a summary of items that have not found a place elsewhere in our annotation but that provide insights into Franklin’s private and public life.
Account XVII (Franklin’s Private Accounts with Ferdinand Grand, XXVI, 3) reveals, as usual, a variety of personal and household transactions. On January 31 Franklin ordered Grand to remit 4,800 l.t. to Benjamin Vaughan. No request for this sum survives, though one of several requests from Benjamin’s brother does. M. “Sikes,” undoubtedly the optician and scientific instrument dealer H. Sykes, presented a bill for 300 l.t. 4 s. on February 1, which Grand paid three days later. Mlle Chaumont and Brunel the carpenter both provided unspecified services. A request for payment from Gabriel-Louis Marignac, Benjamin Franklin Bache’s tutor, was accepted on March 20. Jean L’Air de Lamotte, Franklin’s secretary, received 380 l.t. on February 27 and 193 l.t. on April 1. Franklin’s servant Arbelot received 150 l.t. on March 3. Jacques Finck, the new maître d’hôtel, was paid 600 l.t. on February 18 for expenses not summarized in his monthly bill.
Franklin was credited on January 21 with interest of 4,800 l.t. arising from his shares in the caisse d’escompte.
Account XXV (Account of Postage and Errands, XXXII, 3) was at this time being kept by L’Air de Lamotte. Franklin received letters and packets almost daily, for which he paid postage. The most costly packet by far was the one delivered on February 19, which required a payment of 83 l.t. On two occasions in April, Franklin hired carriages to distribute Libertas Americana medals. William Temple Franklin franked a packet containing another medal that was sent by post. On April 28 and 29, contrary to usual practice, loans were recorded in this account to three Americans who had escaped from British prisons. We presume that L’Air de Lamotte was the one who authorized those expenditures, and that it was he who took the trip by carriage noted on May 8 both to obtain from Ferdinand Grand the funds for those prisoners, and to settle an account “for the public” with the bookseller Pissot. Finck and Bonnefoÿ the gardener each submitted bills for errands, which were paid. Those bills are interfiled in the account, as are the itemized bills of Berthelot the postman.
Account XXVII (Accounts of the Public Agents in Europe, XXXII, 4) records quarterly salary payments of 360 l.t. to L’Air de Lamotte in January and April. William Temple Franklin’s quarterly payment of 1,800 l.t. was issued on April 8. On April 30 Franklin received 43,750 l.t., salary for the previous three quarters at 14,583 l.t. 6 d. 8 s. per quarter. Franklin ordered Grand to pay John Jay 20,000 l.t. on March 11. On April 17 the Nantes firm of Schweighauser & Dobrée was reimbursed 2,796 l.t. for “sundry disbursements” made by Pitot Duhellés, their agent in Morlaix, on behalf of the 138 Americans who had arrived from Plymouth aboard the cartel Molly.
Account XXXI (Jacques Finck’s Accounts of Household Expenditures, XXXVIII, 3) provides the most detailed glimpse into Franklin’s larder that we have had since the Household Accounts of 1779 (Account XXI, XXVIII, 3). Among the meats, fish, songbirds, fowl, vegetables, fruits, spices, nuts, pasta, dairy goods (including heavy cream for making ice cream), condiments, wine, spirits, coffee, and chocolate, Finck also records household staples such as ice, wood, candles, writing paper, and kitchenware. He pays wages and a wine allowance to the cook, M. La Marque, and buys milk, cream, and fine herbs from Mlle Chaumont; otherwise, his suppliers and the household staff are listed only by function. Pots were mended, wood was stacked, water was carried, dishes were washed. In February Finck purchased a pair of three-branch silver candelabras and a pair of smaller ones, a bucket for washing feet, and enough cloth and ribbons to make 50 aprons and 80 dishcloths. In April, on an unspecified date, he paid the expenses of bringing from the customs house two large books that had arrived from England.


Title: Editorial Note on Promissory Notes, 1783
From:
To:

Seventeen escaped prisoners made their way to Passy and received financial assistance from Franklin during the period covered by this volume.
Benjamin Ramsdell of Massachusetts, captured aboard the ship Three Sisters, received 96 l.t. on February 10. Thomas Moore was given 48 l.t. on February 23. Four men applied for assistance on March 9, each of whom received 24 l.t. They were Richard Cockshott of Pennsylvania and James Leigh, Mourning Richardson, and R. Roxbury, all of Virginia. On March 16 four more men were given 24 l.t. each: William Bird of Maryland, John Dorsey of Harford County, Maryland, Thomas Jones of New York, and John Stidart of Edenton, North Carolina. Richard Haynes of South Carolina signed a note for 36 l.t. on March 23. On April 27 John Baker, Peter Green, William Hoadley, Timothy Parmele, and John Peet each signed notes for 24 l.t. Thomas Cave received the same amount on April 28.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-Gabriel de Messey, [after 20 January 1783]
From: Messey, Charles-Gabriel de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
[after January 20, 1783]
Jay apris avec la mesme Satisfaction lheureuse nouvelle de la paye finie que selle de la liberté que nos hommes ont procuré au quatorze provinse de la Merique, Evenement qui Eternise a james la mémoire dun des plus grant homme de notre siecle en votre Respectable persone. Permette moi monsieur davoir lhoneur de vous an faire mon compliment, je doit set omage a toutte les marque de bonté et damitié dont il vous a plut mhonorer pandan mon séjour ché monsieur et madame le roy mes anfants qui mont procure lavantage de ferre votre conessance insy que selle de monsieur votre fils bien digne dimiter les tallants et les vertu Eroique dun ausy grant homme que vous monsieur.
Permetté quil trouve isy mes tres humbles complimant il ne me restroit a désirer que destre themoins de tout Les omages que votre nasion randront a vos vertus Eroique qui leurs procure tout les avantages dont ils vont jouire je desir que se que le roy mon maitre et la nasion a fet an faveur dun peuple ausy belliqueu unise pour tous les siecles avenir les deux nasions et quil vous plaise de ne james doutter du respectueux attachement avec le quel jay lhoneur Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres obeisant serviteur
Messey


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Marie-Anne Le Page Fiquet, Dame Duboccage, [after 21 January 1783]
From: Duboccage, Marie-Anne Le Page Fiquet, Dame
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[after January 21, 1783]
Mde. Duboccage rend mille tres humbles graces a Mr. franklin; la Vision de Colomb donne une champ bien vaste a l’imagination du poëte et l’ange avoit Sans doute prévu qu’il naîtroit un législateur tel que le tres docte franklin pour donner la liberté, de bonnes loix et Beaucoup de gloire a son païs.
Mde. Duboccage ne renvoie point l’imprimé en cas qu’elle trouve quelqu’un qui voulut souscrire.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Gebhard and Other Favor Seekers, 22 January 1783
From: Gebhard, ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

As usual, Franklin receives a steady stream of requests for favors of all kinds. The first of these, printed below, asks him to forward a letter.
Four other letters request a similar favor. On March 29 Wilhelm Augustine von Steuben, writing in German from Cüstrin, begs Franklin once again to forward a letter to his son the general, and in return will pray for His Excellency and the sons of the United States. He wishes Franklin to say whether he and the general have received his earlier missives, for he has had no word from his son.
Two days later, H. Adolphe Hoffmeister sends a letter from Heidelberg to be forwarded to his brother-in-law Doll and thanks Franklin for his continuing assistance.
The abbé de Floirac, vicar-general of the archbishopric of Paris, tells Franklin on April 9 that, in the “Nouvel empire que vous Venez de créer,” there is a young Frenchman, the chevalier d’Anterroches, who is married and has children. The chevalier has complained to his mother, the comtesse d’Anterroches, that her letters are not delivered promptly. The comtesse hopes that Franklin will agree to forward her letters in the future.
The peace has renewed the worries of one family: Françoise de Brahm writes from Coblentz on April 27 to ask for news of her brother, who has not answered any of her letters for the past year. His last letter, a year ago, was sent from Philadelphia. Franklin forwarded the family’s letters earlier in the war; would he again forward one to her brother and find out if he is still alive?
In February, Franklin received three requests for ships’ passports. The first one, in English, comes from London on February 7: Thomas Backhouse, thinking that an English ship might not be safe entering an American port “at this Crisis,” wishes a pass for the Active (J. Powell, master), loaded at Liverpool with salt and other merchandise bound for Philadelphia.
The Ostend firm of De Vinck & Co. asks Franklin’s protection on February 13 for a business they intend to establish in either Boston or Philadelphia. They already have an agent in the latter place, Rodolph Tillier. While in The Hague, Tillier became acquainted with John Adams, who gave him letters of recommendation. They hope that Franklin will be likewise obliging, by advising them and sending passports for the two ships they intend to send to one or the other city under the Imperial flag. Their “Sieur De Vinck,” who will deliver this to Franklin, is commissary in Flanders for the navy of the States of Holland; he lives in Dunkirk and is a French subject.
Louis Vivier writes on February 22 from La Rochelle, optimistic that the arrival of peace will occasion commercial relations between the United States and the ports of France. To that end he is prepared to send a ship to the Chesapeake and desires a passport if one is necessary to unload the cargo.
Other merchants require assistance to further their enterprises or help with ventures gone awry. The vicomte de Faudoas writes on February 4 to ask a favor for Captain Harel of the Marie-Thérèse, a merchant ship about to leave Le Havre with a cargo for Philadelphia. Harel would like to be able to say that he has had the honor of Franklin’s acquaintance, and wishes a few letters of recommendation. He is truly a man of merit and worthy of these kindnesses. Moreover, he will be one of the first Frenchmen to arrive in America since the peace.
On February 13 the chevalier de Mailly, marquis de Neelle, seeks information for a venture not yet undertaken: he has heard that the United States is prepared to grant vast tracts of uncultivated land on very advantageous terms and that there is an agent at Paris in charge of handling these concessions. He would be most grateful if Franklin could inform him of the arrangements the United States has made.
Jean-Pierre Carayon and the widows Blaud and Ducastel, inhabitants of Nîmes, write on February 16. At the end of 1781 the husbands of the two widows, associates of Carayon, embarked with a cargo for America. The following August they arrived at New Bern, North Carolina, by way of Martinique, and had set about selling or exchanging their merchandise when they both fell ill and died. Vanschellebeck and Mailhot, French merchants with whom they had deposited their effects, have notified the survivors and offered to represent them before the state. Their confidence in the French firm has been bolstered by the recommendation of Monsieur Chaponel, a resident of the state who is to become French consul. Will Franklin please ensure that the powers to represent their interests, which they have sent to the firm, are respected by the state authorities?
Two merchants from Germany, N. Westerwick of Lübeck and Friedrich Steyn of Berlin, write in English from Paris on February 17 requesting the letters for Philadelphia and Boston that Franklin has promised them. They travel separately to pursue individual business opportunities and request separate letters.
J.-Fr. Ruellan de Gallinée, a merchant of Saint-Malo, writes on February 20 for friends who wish information about letters of exchange received for a cargo sold in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1778. If Franklin has the time, could he tell them what the Carolina pound is worth in livres tournois and what return they might expect? In a postscript Ruellan adds that, although he does not have the honor of knowing Franklin, his visits to Paris have taken him often to houses that Franklin has honored with his presence.

J.-P. Viollier, a Geneva merchant, writes on March 17 concerning the estate of Denis Pallard, a former captain in the Geneva army who absconded to America with a part of his small fortune, leaving behind certain “désagrémens” and a wife and four young children. Viollier, who has learned that Pallard probably died in Charleston before the city was taken by the English, has been appointed guardian to the children, and wishes now to retrieve the remains of Pallard’s fortune. Could Franklin recommend him to someone to whom he could address his power of attorney? He encloses a two-page memoir about Pallard’s activities since his departure in early 1778.
The Baron de La Marck et Stein, seigneur de la libre imperiale seigneurie de Stein, writes from Stein in Germany on March 23. He had traveled to America from Surinam in the hope of settling there and establishing a commercial firm, but has had to return to Europe, where he and his wife own land. Dutch bankers, ignorant of North America, have refused him the credit he needs for his venture. His youngest son has remained in Boston with Martin Brimmer to learn the language and the commerce of the country. He has other contacts among the local merchants there and in Providence. On his return to America he will take with him a number of people who will contribute to improving agricultural practices. Will Franklin please extend credit to him and recommend him to some French merchants?
That same day but closer to home, the marquis de La Salle, Franklin’s successor as vénérable of the Neuf Sœurs, requests a letter of recommendation for the son of M. Poulletier, a wealthy and respected merchant of Paris, who is being sent to Philadelphia with a large cargo of goods. La Salle has been pressed on all sides to intervene for the merchant; indeed, Mme la marquise Dervillers, “femme aussi aimable que jolie,” will be grateful to Franklin for helping this gallant man whom she has known for a long time. He adds that the lodge has decided on May 5 as the date of the celebration of the peace, an event Franklin has promised to attend.

M. Mazue, a merchant from Marseille, writes on March 24 to beg Franklin’s help. He sank his entire fortune into merchandise sold in America; unfortunately, the captain accepted paper money for the goods, not realizing that the currency had depreciated. Could he exchange this money for land in America? If Franklin does not think this likely, could he at least help Mazue obtain a passage to America, where he could petition Congress in person? A month later, on April 23, the chevalier de Cachard, a captain in the grenadiers of Saluce and a vassal of the king of Sardinia, writes a letter urging Franklin to reply to Mazue, who faces certain ruin unless he can find some livelihood more reliable than that of commerce.
On March 26 the firm of Devoulx frères of Marseille writes for information on exchange rates and on how to cash in loan office certificates received for cargo shipped on the Hazard, Captain Nicolas, and sold at Baltimore in 1778.
Daniel Astruc writes to Franklin from Bordeaux on May 6, asking for help in recovering the 576 l.t. 9 s. 2 d. he is owed by “sieur Grive de la Nouvelle Angleterre” for textiles purchased on January 17, 19, 30, and March 13. A copy of Grive’s account is enclosed. Astruc extended unlimited credit to him over his four-month stay in Bordeaux because he believed him to be a New Englander acting under Franklin’s authority. Grive left for Paris on the public coach, commonly called the “Turgotine,” two days ago. Astruc is acquainted with Vergennes, and hopes that Franklin will forgive this request out of consideration for that minister.

Several people seek positions for themselves or others. Alexandre-Andronique Gika, who has come to Paris to search for employment, writes the first of three letters on March 6. He was born in Turkey to a family of some standing, has received the most careful education, and has traveled throughout Asia, Europe, and most of Africa. His applications at Versailles have met with promises and even a kind of pension, but now he offers his services to the United States. He speaks many languages, knows almost every district on earth, has contacts everywhere, and is persuaded that he can manage almost any business. If Franklin permits, he will present his letters of recommendation in person. Having received no response, Gika repeats his request on March 21, adding more about his career. He served with the Russians during the Russo-Turkish War, but when he did not receive payment, he went to London and sought the help of John Elphinston, formerly a rear-admiral in the Russian navy. Finding that Elphinston could do nothing for him, Gika came to Paris. The marquis de Castries has made promises to him these past six months, but Gika is tired of waiting and wishes to sacrifice the rest of his days to the republic of the United States. A third letter from Gika, this one undated, asks on behalf of a friend if the Americans would appoint a Jew as consul at Marseille. A person of quality desires to solicit the position for a merchant there named Sylva.
M. de Boisroger, honorary inspector of manufactures at Chartres, writes from that city on March 14. Although he is not well enough known to Franklin to ask anything for himself, he solicits a position for a fellow native of Chartres who will present this letter. Chauveau, now 25 or 26 years old, had so impressed the late bishop Fleury that he found a place for the young man at the seminary of Saint-Sulpice and paid his way. Before completing his degree, he was diverted from his studies by the comte d’Albon, who wished the young man to accompany him on his travels. Chauveau later left d’Albon to become preceptor to the children of M. de La Linière, a colonel in the cavalry, régiment du roi, but again was disappointed in his hopes for advancement and returned to Paris where he has been teaching geography and mathematics. Boisroger hopes also to be useful to Franklin in his exchanges with the French court.
The mayor of Abbeville, M. de Pioger, writes a general letter of recommendation on April 17 for young M. Le Febvre de Villers, the son of a distinguished local magistrate and the scion of a military family. The young man is endowed with talents, vigor, enterprise, and rural knowledge.
Several correspondents send Franklin samples of their work for his approbation or evaluation. On March 13 M. Bonzon, the rector of a school in Trévoux, where he teaches grammar, submits to Franklin his idea for this year’s dialogue, an annual end-of-year exercise. The topic is the “Anglo-Franci-Américaine” war. Characters will be England, the mother country who imposed taxes upon taxes; the malcontented Americans, inspired by the genius of France; the king of France, who assured them of protection; Spain, who joined France; and so on. To succeed, Bonzon needs the names of the leaders of the revolution, the most illustrious members of Congress, and certain key generals. If Franklin does not have the goodness to supply him with “Matériaux Solides,” he will have to make things up out of thin air and his own imagination.
On April 7 the comtesse de Malarme sends Franklin a copy of a book she has written, her third, inspired by a journey she made to America five years before. She would be flattered if Franklin would read it; she glories in her occupation, an unusual one in France for a woman so young. When she began to write, she was animated solely by glory. Now that she has lost her fortune, she asks Franklin for a donation of whatever amount he thinks appropriate.

The parish priest of Arpajon, curé Guinchard, seeks Franklin’s advice on April 25 concerning the medical case of one of his parishioners, a six-year-old girl who has been paralyzed in both legs since the age of two. He hopes that Franklin is still able to engage in making precious discoveries in physics and medicine, in which he himself is an amateur. Wanting to help this girl, he bought an electrical machine from Mr. Rouland, demonstrator of physics at the University of Paris, and for the past two months he and a local surgeon have been administering electric therapy. The treatments, lasting 45 minutes and administered twice daily, were given first by bath, then by sparks and commotions. Guinchard begs Franklin to read the enclosed account of the treatment, add his remarks in the margin, and return it by post.
As always, some writers simply want money. Andrew Kirwan writes in English from Passy on April 5 and encloses an account of his “case.” Hearing that Franklin “is possessd. of a most Tender good heart, Especially towards the distressd.,” Kirwan is emboldened to ask him and his friends to put together “a little Mony” for him.
Acknowledging that this is his second letter, Sebastian Hartwig, musician at the ducal court at Gotha, writes in German on May 9 to wish Franklin a safe journey when he returns to America. He requests 100 louis d’or, or at least 50, to be forwarded by Privy Councillor von Grimm to chief court mistress von Buchwald. Hartwig’s brother will repay the loan when Franklin arrives in America. Should Franklin decline to send the money, would he please transmit the enclosed letter to his brother? It might be Hartwig’s last, for they are both very old and have one foot in the grave.
Finally, in a category of his own, Jean-Chrétien Schuster writes from Vienna on February 8 reminding Franklin that in March, 1778, he had written to say that he had named his newborn son after the three American commissioners Franklin, Deane, and Lee. He now gives details on the baptism of little Benjamin Silas Arthur, whom they call “le petit Americain.” Schuster, who signs himself a banker, congratulates Franklin on the peace, renews his expressions of admiration, and asks whether, as a particular favor, the minister could give him the names of merchants in Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Charlestown.

Monseigneur!
a strasbourg Le 22: Jany 1783.
Je prie en grace Son Exellence, de me pardonner la grande Liberté, que je prends par celleci de Vous recomander à Vos graces Ci jointe cette Lettre à mon frère, de qui notre famile n’a pas reçue aucunne avis depuis la rupture existe dans cet Etat.
Votre humanité fondé partout me fait esperer que Son Exellence, ne réfusera pas la Grace à celui, qui se mette à vos pieds. Monseigneur. Votre très devoué Valet
Gebhard

Notation: Gebhard, Strasbourg 22 Janr. 1783.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart, 23 January 1783
From: Brongniart, Alexandre-Théodore
To: Franklin, Benjamin

paris le 23. janvi 1783
J’ai L’honneur d’Envoyer a Monsieur franclin deux Nouvelles Epreveuves de la medaille, en observant que La tete n’est pas encore au point de perfection ou elle doit etre, que Les Serpens que tient L’enfant Seront plus grands et plus Caracterisés; en outre Le graveur a mis intans, au lieu d’infans et qu’il Corrigera Ce deffaut d’Ortographe—
J’ai L’honneur de Rapeller au Souvenir de Monsieur franclin qu’il m’avoit promis Ce qu’il doit faire Ecrire des deux Cotés en Bas de la Medaille et que Ce Seul objet en retient La perfection.

J’ai Celui de L’assurer du tres humble Respect de Son tres devouè Serviteur
Brongniart

Endorsements: Jeudy en huit chez Mad D’uteto / Jan. 31. 83
Notation: Brognant, Paris 23 Janvr. 1783


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Saint-Auban, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 23 January 1783
From: Saint-Auban, Jacques-Antoine Baratier de,Franklin, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
paris le 23 janvier 1782 [i.e., 1783]
Vous etes au comble de la gloire, veullie le ciel que vous jouissies long tems de votre triomphe, les dieux vous ont bien privilegié en vous acordant autant de superiorité de genie, puisque vous vous etes aquis la plus haute celebrité dans les sciences sublimes, et que vous les avès apliquées a la conservation de lhumanité; vos vues se sont ensuite tournées vers votre nation dont vous devenès le libérateur. Jouissés long tems de la venération qui vous ets [est] due, votre nom sera a jamais celebre dans les fastes de lhistoire de tous les pays; jay ete et seray toujours votre admirateur, je partage bien sincerement vos sucés, et vous suplie de ne jamais douter de la verite et de la sincerité de tous les sentiments que vous mavès inspires et avec les quels jay lhoneur detre Monsieur votre tres humble et très obeissant serviteur
ST. AUBAN

Endorsed: That I am sensible touché de la part qu’il a le bonte de prendre de notre heureux Sort. C’est l’ouvrage de Dieu & le Roy de France. J’aurois bientot l’honneur de faire mes Compliments respectueuses a lui & Made de St Auban en personne.

Notation: St. Auban. 23 Janvr. 1783.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache: Two Letters, with a Note from Richard Bache, 24 January 1783
From: Bache, Sarah Franklin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

I.
Dear & Honoured Sir
Philadelphia Jan 24th. 1783
Coll Cambray, who we shall miss very much, is the bearer of this, he will tell you how all the Family do, I paraded all the Children to day on purpose for him to tell you how they look’d, and if he does not say they are fine and handsome, I know not were he will find his beauties—the news papers that came since Major Franks’ paket was made up I now give to Coll Cambray— Miss Beckwith, who is every thing that is Clever is with us, give me leave to thank you for introducing her to us, I look upon myself particularly fortunate to have it in my power to make Philad in some measure agreable to her, every effort in Mr B. power and mine shall be exerted to serve her— Mr Bache is not at home, my love to Temple and Beny I am as ever your Dutiful Daughter
S Bache

Addressed: The Honble. / Dr. Benjamin Franklin / Minister Plenepy. from the United / States of No. America / at / Passy.

II.

Dear and Honoured Sir
Philadelphia Jan. 24. 1783
As soon as we receiv’d Your letter by Miss Beckwith, both Mr Bache and myself waited on her, and requested her to stay with us, till she could be agreeably setled. She more than answers the recommendation given her, and if my fortune was as large as my heart should never leave us, but warm Friends she shall never want while in Philad. I answer for Mr Bache and myself— I wrote you already by this opportunity, but wished to tell you Miss B was with us, she will write to you herself we all continue well— I am as ever Your Dutiful Daughter
S Bache

[In Richard Bache’s hand:] Inclosed is the 4th. Bill of a Sett— three of which are already sent, & I hope some of them got to hand by this time—
R Bache

Addressed: Dr. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Hutton, 24 January 1783
From: Hutton, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Old Friend
Pimlico 24 Jan. 83
You may remember my Tears of Jan. 20. 1778. They are wiped off. They were made an Article of Scoffing in a Lr. to Lord Chatham published by Almon. My Congratulations on Peace attend you. I thank you again & again for your very kind & ready granting my Request of a Passport for our Labradore Ship. & for sending my Lr. to America wrote in your Room at Passy Jan. 1778. which by your Means was of Service in America for the Repose of my Brethren. How many Personal and interesting kindnesses have you not shewn me? I beg you not to fail to let me know, if you come to England on a short visit to your friends, that I may thank you in person once more before we are removed to another Country. Mrs Hewson was well & her three Children last Monday, but you have had very painful Illnesses, and an Irish Gentleman whom I saw yesterday tells me you was a little lame last Friday. God bless you my old dear kind Friend. Continue to Love me & my Brethren. Ever obliged to you as I am
James Hutton
excuse haste & agitation.

Addressed: To / Doctor Franklyn / Passy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de La Touche, 24 January 1783
From: La Touche-Tréville, Louis-Réné-Madeleine Le Vassor, comte de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
a paris le 24 Janvier 1783
Lespoir que jai eu jusqua ce moment que ma Sante me permetterait davoir lhonneur de vous presenter mon hommage respectueux et vous faire agreer mon compliment Sur la paix et la recconnaissance de lindépendance des etats unis ma empéché de vous remettre La lettre cy jointe qui ma été remise a londres par chr Sargeant votre ami. Me trouvant for incomodé et craignant de ne pouvoir d’ici a quelques jours me rendre a passi pour avoir lhonneur de vous y voir jai pris le parti davoir Celui de vous ladresser en vous priant de recevoir toutes mes excuses ainsi que les assurances des sentiments respectueux avec les quels je suis Monsieur votre tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur
LE CTE DE LA Touchehotel de louis le grand Rue de la Bastienne

Notation: Touche le Cte de 24 Janr. 1783.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Laurent and Marie-Anne-Pierrette Paulze Lavoisier, [24 January 1783]
From: Lavoisier, Antoine-Laurent,Lavoisier, Marie-Anne-Pierrette Paulze
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Ce vendredy [January 24, 1783]
Mr. et Mde. Lavoisier sont passés mercredy au soir ches M. francklin pour le feliciter Sur la grande revolution que son genie avoit preparée et qui vient d’etre affermie par la signature de la Paix.
Ils Se proposoient de l’engager a venir diner avec eux lundi prochain 27 a l’arsenal. Ils auront un peu de musique apres diner et ils seroient bien flattés quelle put amuser M. francklin quelques instans.
Cette invitation est Commune pour lui et M. son petit fils.

Notation: Lavoisier


Title: Three Draft Replies to Applicants for Emigration, [between 24 January 1783 and 9 March 1784]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

Following the signing of the preliminary peace treaty, Franklin was inundated with requests for assistance from people all over Europe who wanted to emigrate to America. More than 30 are summarized in the headnote to Perrault’s letter of January 24, above; they represent only those applications for which no responses have been located. The documents published below are undated responses written by Franklin to recipients who have not been identified. The first of them has much in common with BF’s March 17 letter to the Earl of Buchan, but the differences convince us that this draft was intended for another applicant. Letters II and III are more generic and could have been intended for any number of hopefuls who wrote during 1783. They may, in fact, have been intended as models for responses that Franklin wanted sent out in French. Ultimately, he composed a general pamphlet on emigration, Information to Those Who Would Remove to America, which was printed shortly before March 9, 1784.

[between January 24, 1783, and March 9, 1784]
I.
Your Queries concerning the Value of Land in different Circumstances & Situations, Modes of Settlement, &c &c are quite out of my Power to answer; having while I lived in America been always an Inhabitant of Capital Cities, and not in the way of learning any thing correctly of Country Affairs. There is a Book lately published in London, written by Mr Hector St. John, its Title, Letters from an American Farmer, which contains a good deal of Information on those Subjects; and as I know the Author to be an observing intelligent Man, I suppose the Information to be good as far as it goes, and I recommend the Book to your perusal.
There is no doubt but great Tracts may be purchased on the Frontiers of Virginia, & the Carolinas, at moderate Rates. In Virginia, it used to be at 5£ Sterling the 100 Acres. I know not the present Price, but do not see why it should be higher.
Emigrants arriving pay no Fine or Premium for being admitted to all the Privileges of Citizens. Those are acquired by two Years Residence.
No Rewards are given to encourage new Settlers to come among us, whatever degree of Property they may bring with them, nor any Exemptions from common Duties. Our Country offers to Strangers nothing but a good Climate, fertile Soil, wholesome Air, Free Governments, wise Laws, Liberty, a good People to live among, and a hearty Welcome. Those Europeans who have these or greater Advantages at home, would do well to stay where they are.

II.
The civil Employments are few, not very profitable, and all fill’d by Persons elected by the People from a Knowledge and Approbation of their Characters & Conduct. A Stranger cannot expect that any of these will be displac’d for his Accommodation.
A Settlement there he may undoubtedly make; Coming with that Intention he will be kindly receiv’d; and will soon be consider’d as a Citizen. By a prudent Conduct he may in a few Years acquire the Esteem and Confidence of the People, and obtain in Consequence some publick Employ either civil or military.

III.
That Employments are not given in America but to Persons known. That if he can transport himself thither and maintain himself a Year or two till the Inhabitants are acquainted with his Character and Merits, he may possibly obtain one of the Employments he mentions; but nothing of the kind can be promised to him by me.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to the Comte de Vergennes, 25 January 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, comte de

Sir,
Passy, Jan. 25. 1783
I received the Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me the 31st. of the last Month, relative to the fresh pecuniary Aid which the King was dispos’d to grant to the Congress.— I received also a second Letter on the same Subject, dated the 16th Instant. I am extremely sensible of his Majesty’s Goodness in according a new Loan to the United States of Six Millions, and I accept the same in their Behalf with the most perfect Gratitude. Considering the enormous Expence this extensive War must occasion to his Majesty, I did hope to avoid the Necessity of repeating their original Request of a larger Sum; and with that View have had many Consultations & considered various Schemes with our Banker Mr Grand for procuring Money elsewhere. This with other Circumstances occasioned my so long Delay in Answering, which I beg you would excuse.— None of those Schemes proving practicable, I am constrain’d by my Orders humbly to request that the Matter may be reconsidered; and that at least Six Millions more may be added. As Peace will diminish both the King’s Expence and ours, I hope this Request may be granted and that it may be sufficient for our Occasions. I am however ready to enter into and sign the Contract your Excellency mentions for whatever Sum his Majesty’s Wisdom & Goodness shall think fit to direct. I inclose the Resolutions of Congress, impowering me to borrow the Twenty Millions; in which their Sense of his Majesty’s Friendship is strongly express’d. I am, with great Respect, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servant
M. le Comte de Vergennes—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Sally Beckwith, 25 January 1783
From: Beckwith, Sally
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Philadelphia January 25th [1783]
Encouraged by the assurances of my Dear Friend Mrs. Bache that you will not think my writing a peice of presumption I take this method at once of assuring you of my gratitude for past favors & to beg that when you shall hear that your Friends here have so very far outdone your utmost intention of serving me it may not so much be atributed to any art I have had of availing myself of your Excellencys reccomendation as to the desire Mr. & Mrs. Bache seem to have to find occasions of loading with favors any who have been So fortunate as to meet with the smallest countenance. I am very happy in finding that my scheme cannot fail of success. I dont know whether I ought to say it with joy or regret that the cultivation of European manners will hardly be an innovation. Tis be hoped that Nature being so bountifull it will be a long while before they are reduced to the mean arts of avarice to suport their luxurys, for such I doubt not will the be(?) [be the?] applicable term to a lively people who love french finery & English Neatness.
I am ordered to describe your dear Grandchildren & first for Master Bache who is a tall big Boy with a fine open countenance who when he smiles & he is very gay displays two Broad white teeth set apart that promises long life & good Health, he has moreover a great deal of sensibility, which is a weakness not easily cured. Miss Betsy who is my bedfellow is of a small delicate figure has dark hair is attentive inquisitive & retentive & very affectionate & thinks still better than she reads, Louis is a perfect peice of good nature & has two Beautifull Eyes with which he gives occasionally gives some little Squints which are esteemed a great Merit. Miss Debby is pretty & has More little tricks than most Misses of her age. I beg my compliments to Mr Franklin & remain with the most perfect respect & gratitude your Excellancys most Obdt & very Hle Servant
S Beckwith

Notation: Beckwitt


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Two Letters, 25 January 1783
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

I.
Dear & hond Sir
Nantes Jan. 25. 1783
The present Serves to hand you some Letters brought by my Father who is in my house in perfect Health. When I have arranged my Business so as to be able to leave it I shall wait on you with him & bring home Mrs W in return.
I thank you for your Note to Lord Shelburne which I hope he will feel.
I am with the greatest Respect Your dutifull & affectionate
Jona Williams J

I have just recvd your Packet sent Mr Livingston with the news of Peace. Vessells will not go to sea without Passeports untill the time is elapsed.

II.
Dr & hond Sir.
Nantes Jan. 25. 1783
The Bearer is my Friend Saml White Esqr who is on the Business of obtaing Passports from England for the american Ships outward Bound. He will Show you my Letter to Lord Shelburne & Mr Vaughan; If you think the application useless, or unlikely to Succeed please to tell Major White so that he may not proceed on a false Errand. I beg leave to introduce my Friend, to your kind Notice & am Dr & hond Sir most dutifully & affecy Yours
Jona Williams J
I shall take it as a favour if you will give Mr White an Introduction to some of your Friends in London.His Excelly Doctor Franklin.

Addressed: His Excellency.— / Doctor Franklin.
Notation: Jona. Williams June 25. 1783


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 26 January 1783
From: Bondfield, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Bordeaux 26 Jany 1783
An Express arrivd yesterday proclaimd Peace permit me to renew my Compliments of Congratulation.

Mr Barclay wrote me some posts past from Lorient to have the returns of the prisoners at this City which I have transmitted and expect his further instructions by return of Post.
I took the liberty to request a protection for two small Brigs I have which will very speedily be ready for Sea and as their Proceeding without Protections if met by English Men of War or Cruizers in Latitudes or Longitudes precribed by the proclamation before the Stipulated term allowd is expired will subject them to Capture and condemnd as legal Prizes we have Recourse to your protection which will preserve our Vessels from being Molested on their Voyage.
I receivd a few Days past a Letter from Mr Bache acknowledging the receipt of part of the Wine you orderd for his Account ten Cases shipt per the Maclanachan had the misfortune to be carried to Halifax.
With due Respect I have the Honor to be Sir Your most Obedient servant
John Bondfield
The Brig Sophia Cap Allin for PhiladelphiaThe Brig Mimi Cap Walls for Charles Town

Addressed: a Son Excéllance / Benjm. Fránklin / Ministre Pre. des Etats Unis / de Lamerique / à Paris


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Alleyne Fitzherbert, 26 January 1783
From: Fitzherbert, Alleyne
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Hotel du Parc Royal rue des Marais le 26 Janvier 1783
M. Fitz-Herbert est venu pour avoir l’honneur de faire part qu’il a eu Mardi 21 de ce mois ses premiéres audiences du Roi, de la Reine, et de la famille Royale en qualité de Ministre Plenipotentiaire de Sa Majesté Britannique.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Hodgson, 26 January 1783
From: Hodgson, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear sir
London 26 Jany 1783
I have Rec’d your favor of the 14th per Mr Oswald & am much obliged to you for your friendly Intentions, I have the Satisfaction to inform you that after all the Alarms & Apprehensions the upshot was tolerable, much better than I expected.
I without delay waited upon the Secretary of State with the discharges of the Officers you sent me & he readily consented to do every thing you requested & desired I woud return you his best thanks & this day I have been again at the Office desiring the Cartel Vessell might go to L’Orient instead of Morlaix which was promised me I hope they will be soon sent away, if you judge a Passport still necessary I will endeavour to procure one & send before the Cartel Vessell goes— I do now most sincerely congratulate you on the happy Issue to the horrors of War, which in my Opinion has terminated in such a Manner as to be a general Blessing to the human Race & to yourself nothing coud be more glorious & honorable—there Remains yet a good deal to settle & arrange— I recollect when at Passy you was pleased to say that you woud turn your thoughts to the Consideration of which wou’d be the wisest & best Conduct for this Country to pursue with respect to America, after Independence shou’d be acknowledged & you gave me reason to hope you wou’d favor me with them, I take the Liberty of reminding you because I think you will do thereby an Essential Service to this Country & it will be highly honorable to me to be the Communicator of your Ideas on such a Subject to the Minister— War being now no more, Commercial Ideas, begin to occupy my Mind, I wish to have Connections with America & I think there is a fair prospect that those who get first to Market will do best — I have a Ship of my own Called the Mary, Jno Muir master which I design to send to the Chesapeak with a Cargo of goods as soon as I possibly Can, Hostilities, I expect, will cease in the Channell before the Vessell can possibly be ready, but I am apprehensive she may get into War Latitude before the Cessation of Hostilities for this reason I request the favor of you to give me a pass for her both in her Voyage & on her arrival in America shou’d it so happen that she gets there before the final Settlement & as I wish her to be protected att all Events if Mr W. T. Franklin will oblige me so far as to procure a pass for her both from the French & Spanish Ministers I shall be much obliged to him & the sooner it is done the more likely to prove beneficial— I am well informed that there is not any thing novel in this request— After the Preliminaries of the last General Peace were signed the different Powers granted Passports for such Vessells as were to sail after the signing & were intended for long Voyages, where they might run the risque of being captured as the Time limited for the Cessation of Hostilities woud not be expired.
I submit it to your Consideration whether it may not have some weight in Case of any Demur, to certify the pass to be given to the Ship as belonging to me, (which she actually does)—as I am apt to flatter myself my Conduct wou’d entitle me to some favor in America. I hope soon to furnish you with my Ballance Acct for the prisoners, I recd upwards of a Month ago a small Bill from Mr Wren belonging to a Prisoner twas a Continental Loan Note I enclosed it you in a Letter per a friend of Mr Vaughans be pleased to signify if you recd it.
The favor of an Answer to this Letter the first opportunity will much oblige. Your’s most Sincerely
William Hodgson

P.S. pray am I to prosecute Digges, I totally forgot to mention it to you—

Addressed: To / His Excellency / Benj. Franklin Esqr


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Jay, 26 January 1783
From: Jay, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Paris 26. Jany. 1783
It having been suspected that I concurred in the appointment of your Grandson to the Place of Secretary to the american Commission for peace, at your Instance, I think it right thus unsollicited to put it in your power to correct that Mistake.
Your general Character, the opinion I had long entertained of your Services to our Country; and the friendly Attention and aid with which you had constantly favored me, after my Arrival in Spain, impressed me with a Desire of manifesting both my Esteem & Attachment by stronger Evidence than Professions. That Desire extended my Regard for you to your Grandson, He was then indeed a Stranger to me, but the Terms in which you expressed to Congress your opinion of his being qualified for another place of equal Importance were so full & satisfactory as to leave me no Room to doubt of his being qualified for the one abovementioned. I was therefore happy to assure you in one of the first Letters I afterwards wrote you from Spain, that in Case a Secretary to our Commission for peace should become necessary, and the Appointment be left to us, I should take that opportunity of evincing my Regard for you by nominating him or words to that Effect. What I then wrote was the spontaneous Suggestion of my own Mind, unsollicited, and I believe unexpected by you.
When I came here on the Business of that Comn I brought with me the same Intentions & should always have considered myself engaged by Honor as well as Inclination to fulfil them; unless I had found myself mistaken in the opinion I had imbibed of that young Gentleman’s Character and Qualifications but that not being the Case, I found myself at Liberty to indulge my wishes & to be as good as my word—for I expressly declare that your Grandson is in my opinion qualified for the place in Question, & that if he had not been no Consideration whatever would have prevailed upon me to propose or join in his appointment. This explicit and unreserved State of Facts is due to you, to him, and to Justice; and you have my Consent to make any use of it that you may think proper.
I have the Honor to be Sir with great Respect & Regard Your obliged & obedt. Servt
John Jay
His Excellency Doctr FranklinTo Dr. Franklin 26 Jan. 1783


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Hewson, 27 January 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hewson, Mary (Polly) Stevenson

Passy, Jany. 27. 1783.
The Departure of my dearest Friend, which I learn from your last Letter, greatly affects me. To meet with her once more in this Life, was one of the principal Motives of my proposing to visit England again before my Return to America. The last Year carried off my Friends Dr Pringle, & Dr Fothergill, & Lord Kaims, and Lord Le Despencer; this has begun to take away the rest, and strikes the hardest. Thus the Ties I had to that Country, & indeed to the World in general, are loosned one by one, and I shall soon have no Attachment left to make me unwilling to follow.
I intended writing when I sent the 11 Books, but I lost the Time in looking for the 12th.— I wrote with that; and hope it came to hand. I therein ask’d your Counsel about my coming to England. On Reflection I think I can, from my Knowledge of your Prudence, foresee what it will be; viz. not to come too soon, lest it should seem braving & insulting some who ought to be respected. I shall therefore omit that Journey till I am near going to America; and then just step over to take Leave of my Friends, and spend a few Days with you. I purpose bringing Ben with me, and perhaps may leave him under your Care.
At length we are in Peace, God be praised; & long, very long may it continue. All Wars are Follies, very expensive & very mischievous ones. When will Mankind be convinc’d of this, and agree to settle their Differences by Arbitration? Were they to do it even by the Cast of a Dye, it would be better than by Fighting & destroying each other.
Spring is coming on, when Travelling will be delightful. Can you not, when your Children are all at School, make a little Party, and take a Trip hither? I have now a large House delightfully situated, in which I could accommodate you & two or three Friends; and I am but half an Hours Drive from Paris.
In looking forward,—Twenty-five Years seems a long Period; but in looking back, how short!— Could you imagine that ’tis now full a Quarter of a Century since we were first acquainted!— It was in 1757. During the greatest Part of the Time I lived in the same House with my dear deceased Friend your Mother; of course you and I saw and convers’d with each other much and often. It is to all our Honours, that in all that time we never had among us the smallest Misunderstanding. Our Friendship has been all clear Sunshine, without any the least Cloud in its Hemisphere. Let me conclude by saying to you what I have had too frequent Occasions to say to my other remaining old Friends, the fewer we become, the more let us love one another.
Adieu, and believe me ever, Yours most affectionately,
B Franklin
Mrs Hewson

Endorsed: Franklin Jan 27 83 / Passy Jan 27 — 83 40


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Sargent, 27 January 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Sargent, John

My dear Friend
Passy, Jany. 27. 1783
I received and read the Letter you were so kind as to write to me the 3d Instant, with a great deal of Pleasure, as it inform’d me of the Welfare of a Family whom I have so long esteem’d and lov’d and to whom I am under so many Obligations, which I shall ever remember. Our Correspondence has been interrupted by that abominable War: I neither expected Letters from you, nor would I hazard putting you in Danger by writing any to you. We can now communicate freely; and next to the Happiness of seeing and embracing you all again at Halstead, will be that of Hearing frequently of your Health and Prosperity.
Mrs Sargent and the good Lady her Mother, are very kind in wishing me more happy Years. I ought to be satisfy’d with those Providence has already been pleas’d to afford me, being now in my seventy-eighth; a long Life to pass without any uncommon Misfortune, the greatest Part of it in Health and Vigour of Mind & Body, near Fifty Years of it in continu’d Possession of the Confidence of my Country in public Employments, and enjoying the Esteem & affectionate friendly Regard of many wise and good Men and Women, in every Country where I have resided. For these Mercies and Blessings I desire to be thankful to God, whose Protection I have hitherto had, & I hope for its Continuance to the End, which now cannot be far distant.
The Account you give me of your Family is pleasing, except that your eldest Son continues so long unmarried. I hope he does not intend to live and die in Celibacy. The Wheel of Life that has roll’d down to him from Adam without Interruption, should not stop with him. I would not have one dead unbearing Branch in the Genealogical Tree of the Sargents. The married State is, after all our Jokes, the happiest, being conformable to our Natures. Man & Woman have each of them Qualities & Tempers in which the other is deficient, and which in Union contribute to the common Felicity. Single and separate they are not the compleat human Being; they are like the odd Halves of Scissors; they cannot answer the End of their Formation.
I am concern’d at the Losses you have suffer’d by the War. You are still young and active enough to retrieve them, and Peace I hope will afford the Opportunity.

You mention nothing of my good Friend Mrs. Deane, or her amiable Sisters whom I sometimes saw with you, nor of Mr Chambers. I hope they are all well & happy. Present my Respects to Mrs. Sargent whom I love very much, and believe me ever My dear Friend, Yours most affectionately
B Franklin
John Sargent Esqr.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Fanning, 27 January 1783
From: Fanning, Nathaniel
To: Franklin, Benjamin

May it please your Excellency
Dunke: Goal 27th: Jany: 1783
That having wrote your Excellency several Petitions in justification of my Conduct, during my last Cruise on Board of the Eclipse, which has made such a Noise in this Part of the World relative to my Crew having Plundered a certain danish Vessel which has been transacted without my Knowledge, or consent, as appears by my Interogation as well as those of my People.— I have thought fit by and with the Advice of some of the first Men in this place not to cease of Petitioning your Excellency, ’till I shall have some redress or at least an Answer as I am well assured that it lays in your Excellency’s Power to procure me my Enlargement.— I presume the reason of your Excellency’s not having deign’d to answer my former Petitions has been on acct: of your Excellency’s having as I am told been often deceiv’d by Englishmen’s imposing on your Excellency for Americans & consequently my being thought by your Excellency to be one of the former; If so, I can prove by many Americans now resident in France, of my having been Born of a very reputable Family in New London in America.— I hope & beg most sincerely that this Petition may have the desired effect.
Thus Prayeth Your Excellency’s Humble Petitioner & most Obdt. Servant
Nathl: Fanning
His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr: Passy.

Notation: Fanning Nathaniel Dunkerque 27. Janvr. 1783


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Kéralio, with a Note by the Duchesse de Deux-Ponts, 27 January 1783
From: Kéralio, Agathon Guynement, chevalier de,Deux-Ponts, Marianne Camasse, comtesse de Forbach
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Forbach, le 27e. janvier, 1783.
Nous avons appris aujourd’hui, mon Respectable ami, que les préliminaires de la paix avoient êté signés le 20e entre les puissances belligérantes, et sur le champ la Dame du chateau a ordonné à son secrétaire intime de mettre son tendre hommage aux pieds du libérateur de l’amérique, du Vengeur du droit des Nations, en attendant qu’elle puisse l’embrasser de tout son cœur. Vos jours sont comme ceux du juste, ils sont bien remplis: Convenés, malgré vôtre excessive modestie, que jamais il ne fut une Carriere plus brillante que la Vôtre; le bienfaiteur des hommes approche seul de la divinité; Continués à les éclairer, à les instruire, mais restés parmi nous, s’il vous est possible; c’est le Vœu de Votre digne amie, et d’un des hommes du monde qui dans tous les temps se fera gloire d’avoir mérité vos bontés et de vous donner des preuves de l’inviolable et respectueux dévouement avec lequel je ne cesserai d’être, Mon Respectable ami, Votre très humble et très obeissant Serviteur.
Le CHR. De Keralio

[Note by the duchesse de Deux-Ponts:] Approuvé, Confirme, rattiffié, par Le Coeur d’une amie qui vous cheris avec tendresse exelant homme parcequil aime le bien et adore La Vertue.
Ctesse DE FORBACHdouairiere du sme [sérénissme] Duc de deuxponts

Notation: Le Chevr. de Keralio Forback le 27 Janvr. 1783.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jacob Duché, Jr., 28 January 1783
From: Duché, Jacob, Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Asylum, Lambeth Jan. 28, 1783
I take the earliest Opportunity, since the Signing of the Provisional & Preliminary Articles of a General Peace, of expressing my sincere Congratulations to your Excellency on that happy Event, and at the same Time of communicating to you my most ardent Desire of returning to my Native City; earnestly requesting you to honour me with your Opinion & Instructions with Respect to my Conduct in an Affair so interesting to my own & my dear Family’s future Welfare.
I address your Excellency, as the Friend of my Father, and of my Wife’s Father; and flatter myself, that my own Name is not so entirely blotted out from your Remembrance, but that these Lines may remind you, that I had once the Happiness of enjoying your good Opinion, as well as that of all my Countrymen.
Your Excellency has known me from my Infancy— You have known my Character to be uniformly & unexceptionably moral; and could not have been a Stranger to the reciprocal Affection, that subsisted for Years betwixt me and my Congregations, and the Unanimity, with which they elected me their Rector, on the Resignation of Dr Peters.
To preserve their Affection & the same Unanimity, was the Object I have ever had in View: And to this alone I can truly refer every Part of what has been called my Political Conduct. For as to Politics I profess myself totally ignorant. I never had either Abilities or Influence to display, in that Line, nor had I ever the smallest Inclination to deviate from that happy & retired Path of Life, which I had made Choice of in my earliest Years.
My Letter to Genl. Washington was the only Cause of Offence, which I ever gave to my Countrymen. The Circumstances attending this Letter, both previous & subsequent to the sending it, are not known. I trust, I may one Day have an Opportunity of giving your Excellency a fair & just Account of them.
I never communicated the least Intelligence nor had I ever the least Intercourse with the British Army, whilst I was in America— And since my Arrival in England, I have cautiously avoided all Kind of Political Connexions, or Political Meetings, & confined myself wholly to the Duties of my Profession— Of this my most amiable Friend Lady Juliana Penn, Mr Baker, & Mr R. Penn can give your Excellency the fullest Information.
I am at present very pleasantly situated, as Chaplain & Secretary of the Asylum, a Charitable Female Institution, which you may remember to have seen near Westminster Bridge. My Salary & other Emoluments, with my Pension from Government, which they now talk of exchanging for a Church Living of equal Value, amounts in the whole to more than £300 per Annum.
This, with every Prospect of farther Preferment I would most chearfully resign, could I have any Assurance of being re-instated in the good Opinion of my Countrymen, and particularly of being restored to my Congregations, for whom, as my First Love, I feel a most ardent Affection.
I should be very happy, therefore, if your Excellency would condescend to inform me, as soon as may be convenient to you, whether the Act of Attainder in which my Name among others is mentioned will be repealed in Consequence of the Treaty of Peace; whether there is the least Prospect of my being re-imbursed any Part of the Sum for which my House &c was sold; and whether, if the present Rector & Vestry should agree to reinstate me in the Churches, it could be done under the Sanction of the State of Pennsylvania.
I should be happy to pay my Respects to you in Paris, if I could have your Permission, and you would condescend to give me your candid Advice on these Subjects.
I can very readily obtain Permission of the Guardians of the Asylum to make such an Excursion for a few Weeks; and as I am well known to the Marquis of Carmarthen who will set out in a few Days, as Ambassador from hence to Paris, and his Chaplain & private Secretary is my most intimate Friend & Kinsman, I am sure of a kind Reception from them, in Case your Excellency should think such a Visit proper & necessary.
I have the Honour to be With the Greatest Respect Your Excellency’s Most obedient humble Servant
J Duché

P.S. I take the Liberty of inclosing to your Excellency, Mr White’s Form of Acceptance of the Rectorship, which he sent to me, soon after his Election— Mrs Duché begs to be affecttionately remembered, and particularly enquires after Mrs Bache & her Children—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Pitot Duhellés and Other Consulship Seekers, 28 January 1783
From: Pitot Duhellés, ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Once the preliminary peace treaties were signed, applications for American consulships came streaming into Passy from all over Europe. Most of the applicants expected their home ports would soon begin a vigorous trade with America and that Congress would appoint consuls immediately. Franklin, on the other hand, believed that the United States could not appoint consuls in foreign ports until it had concluded commercial treaties with the countries in question.
We summarize first the requests for positions in France that are not mentioned elsewhere in the volume. The undated appeal from Rouen merchant Philippe Taillet reminds Franklin of the two previous memoirs he had submitted, which the American had received with kindness (though he had promised nothing). Now that the peace is settled and Franco-American trade is sure to be established, Taillet renews his request for a consulship and asks Franklin either to make the appointment himself or else to recommend him to Congress.

From Dunkirk comes a February 4 letter in perfect English from Connelly & Sons & Arthur, a merchant firm that has been established in Dunkirk for more than 70 years with a house also in Ostend. They ask Franklin to recommend them to good houses in Boston, Charleston, Philadelphia, and New York and request the American consulship in Dunkirk for either Phillip or Joseph Connelly. They give the names of ten references in France, America, and London, including Jacques Necker, Matthew Ridley, Jonathan Nesbitt, and John Holker.
Le Grand de Castelle also seeks the consulship in Dunkirk. He writes from there on February 24 but asks Franklin to send his reply to the town of Saint-Omer in Artois.
On February 4 Nicolas Reboul, a former ship captain, writes from La Ciotat in Provence to request the post of consul in that city, whose virtues he enumerates. Reboul writes again on May 13, suggesting that Franklin ask Beaumarchais to consult M. Guys, secrétaire du roi, about his qualifications.
On February 17 Madame Price, writing from Paris in phonetic French, explains that since she did not have a chance to speak to Franklin in person “yére,” she must let her pen make this supplication. She asks that her husband be appointed American agent in Marseille. She writes again on February 22 to remind Franklin that she had spoken and written to him. Now that the “conçule” is there, it might not be a bad idea for Franklin to talk with him about the matter.
Laurent Councler, an associate of the firm Councler, Rigot & Sollicoffre, announces from Marseille on February 19 that he has wanted the American consulship ardently for two years but was told by M. Grand of Paris that he would have to wait until the peace. Now he will speak forthrightly of his hopes. He assumes that prospective American consuls must be Protestant, English-speaking, and in possession of a good reputation and good credit. He approaches Franklin under the auspices of M. van de Perre. Two months ago he discussed his situation with M. de Jaucourt, but he does not know whether Jaucourt has mentioned him to Franklin. He also wants to discuss his plans with Matthew Ridley, with whom his firm has correspondence.
Councler’s two recommenders had already written. The letter from Paul Ewaldus van de Perre, dated February 18 from Marseille, praises “Conclair” as a first-rate Protestant English-speaking merchant known for his zeal, probity, exactitude, and good sense. No one could fill the post with greater honor and success. The marquis de Jaucourt, writing on February 15, addressed his appeal to the comte de Maillebois, asking him to intercede with Franklin: Councler’s firm is very well known and has ties with several American firms; Matthew Ridley can supply more information. Maillebois forwards this letter to Franklin with one of his own on February 20, hoping that Franklin will dine with him some evening in the coming week (but not Tuesday).
On February 20 Pomaret writes from Ganges, where he has been pastor of the Reformed Church for 40 years, asking Franklin to forward a letter to Miss Laurens and recommending Marc-Antoine Bazile of Montpellier for the consulship in Sète. Bazile is an able merchant who trades on a large scale.
Another candidate for the consulship in Sète is Grangent, nominated by M. Marignié, his nephew, in an undated letter to Philip Keay which asks Keay to intercede with Franklin.

On March 9 Jean-Baptiste Le Roy forwards an undated memoir from Bérian frères of Bayonne, who passionately desire to be the American consuls in that city. Franklin must be overwhelmed by such solicitations, but Le Roy asks him to give this one special consideration, as the firm also is recommended by the comtes d’Ornano and d’Angiviller. He regrets not having the opportunity to hand Franklin the memoir in person but hopes to see him before the week is out. In their memoir soliciting the consulship, Bérian frères mention that they have assisted Mr. Emery, an American merchant who sought to establish himself at Bilbao.
Two people hope to become the American agent in Lyon. Claude Charton, a merchant there, requests the position in an undated memoir, explaining that he is on the verge of retiring and will be able to devote his time solely to the affairs of the United States. He encloses testimonials dated April 3 from the Lyon commercial syndicate and other notables.
Jacques de Flesselles, intendant of Lyon, writes from Paris on May 15 to recommend M. Dainval for the post, adding that the marquis de Vergennes will vouch for Dainval as well. Flesselles even offers to send Franklin a sample commission which Congress could review. Franklin evidently answered the same day, offering to forward Flesselles’ draft commission to America. That letter is unlocated, but the intendant thanks Franklin for it and sends him the draft commission on June 3.
The first of the appeals from Italy comes from Civitavecchia on February 3. M. Vidaú, French consul in that city (known as the port of Rome) and the father of many children, is enchanted to congratulate Franklin on the peace, and offers the services of himself and his family. In particular, his son Paul would like to be appointed either American agent or consul. Vidaú assures Franklin that his son will fulfill his duties on behalf of the “nation Anglameriquaine” with the same zeal and exactitude with which he himself has protected the commerce and laws of France. Franklin soon learns that the Vidaús had begun this campaign the previous fall. On September 9, 1782, believing peace to be imminent, Paul Vidaú wrote at his father’s urging to Philippe-Athanase Täscher in Paris, whom they thought was a close friend of Franklin’s, begging him to intercede with the American minister to obtain this consulship. Täscher forwards this letter to Franklin on March 3, 1783, along with a letter of his own in support of Vidaú’s application. He adds that he forgot to mention this when he saw Franklin at Passy two days earlier. On May 12 the elder Vidaú writes again, fearing that his first letter has been lost. His superior, the marquis de Castries, has undoubtedly informed Franklin of his good qualities and conduct as French consul. If his son Paul is fortunate enough to obtain the consulship, he pledges to supervise him.
Several applicants seek the consulship in Naples. Thomas Plumer Byde, though British and a former member of Parliament, evidently thinks himself qualified for the position because he voted to repeal the Stamp Act and showed himself on numerous other occasions to be a friend of America. He writes on February 8 from Naples, where he now resides, sure that Franklin must have forgotten him. He is a friend of Wharton’s, who will certainly vouch for him. He encloses a letter to Wharton, which he asks Franklin to forward.
Antoine Liquier applies to the American commissioners from Naples on April 5. He is sure that the king of the Two Sicilies will soon sign a commercial treaty with the United States, which will necessitate the appointment of an American consul in his city. Liquier is familiar with the duties of a consul: he works for his father, the Dutch consul in Naples and the head of a firm of nearly 50 years’ standing. He is Protestant, too, which only can work in his favor. He ends with a series of recommendations for products that could be traded between the two countries.
On April 21 Louis-Berton Hortal, writing from Valence in Dauphiné, recommends his cousin Charles Forquet, a French merchant in Naples, for the latter city’s consular post. Forquet’s partner M. André, the Swedish agent in Naples, thinks that Forquet might be charged with the same responsibilities for the United States. Forquet has asked Hortal to solicit recommendations for him; accordingly he has applied to Vergennes and Necker but has been told they do not meddle in other states’ affairs. On reflection, Hortal realizes that he does not need letters of recommendation: all honest souls have easy access to Franklin. Forquet is a man of spirit, merit, and solid fortune.
From Leghorn comes an application from the merchant Joseph du Pranoul (Preissoul?) père, who writes on February 14 under the auspices of Chalut de Vérin. His firm has enjoyed a certain reputation in Leghorn for a century and a half. Feeling certain that the grand duke (Leopold, Grand Duke of Tuscany) is well disposed toward the Americans and will allow their ships entry into the port, he begs Franklin to allow his son and his firm to extend their services to Congress. Chalut de Vérin forwards this letter to Franklin on February 28 with a note recalling that he already spoke to Franklin and Adams about his friends in Leghorn. Adams, in fact, should have received a memorandum on the subject a few days ago.

Christian Andrew Tilebein, writing in English from Barcelona, reminds Franklin on February 26 that he applied for the American consulship in that city in 1778. He renews that solicitation now, adding that he has also written to John Jay. The letter is addressed to “Dr Samuel Franklin.”
Several applications arrive from Portugal. Dominick Browne, acting French consul in Oporto during the absence of his uncle “Emel. [Emanuel] De Clamouse,” writes in English on February 8 to request the American consulship there. Born in Portugal to Irish parents, he was educated in England and speaks several languages. In keeping with Sartine’s March 30, 1778, instructions, Browne has assisted American subjects as zealously as French ones, providing them with passports to Spain and cash when needed. His letter will be forwarded to Franklin by M. O’Dunn, French ambassador at the court of Lisbon.
John Keating writes in perfect English from Faro on February 25. He works for the French consul in Lisbon and aspires to serve the United States as well. He asks Franklin to recommend him for the deputy consulship in the province of Algarve.
The baron de Jumilhac writes from Lisbon on March 1 to recommend Wilhiam Wiliamson for the vice-consulship in Setuval (Setúbal) and Edward Clarke for the vice-consulship in Belém. He has known both men for nearly three years and can vouch for their good conduct and intelligence. Franklin endorsed the letter, “Recommended by Made Bertin.”
Dominque-François Belletti, a partner in the firm Belletti, Zaccar & Cie. and the Tuscan consul in Trieste, launches an aggressive campaign on February 21 for the American consulship in that city and throughout Austria. Offering his services to the United States free of charge, he encloses copies of two letters of recommendation. In the next several weeks he writes four more times. On April 7 he tells Franklin that his sovereign is eager to establish an active commerce between Austria and the United States and has dispatched Chancellor de Rossier to Trieste to discuss the project; furthermore, the comte de Brigido has been instructed to present the plan to the city’s leading merchants. What are Franklin’s sentiments on the proposal? On April 11 Belletti adds that he intends to sail for Philadelphia with a vessel laden with Austrian and Levantine products and manufactures; because there is no commercial treaty yet, he asks Franklin to send a ship’s passport and a letter permitting him to purchase merchandise in Philadelphia. Franklin should address his reply to Messrs. Fries et Comp., bankers, in Vienna, whither Belletti will soon be traveling. On April 14 he reminds Franklin that he still needs a letter for Philadelphia. On April 25, confounded by Franklin’s silence, he writes to announce his departure for Vienna the next day; he can only hope that he will receive news of his consular appointment while there. He encloses a copy of the Austrian chancellery’s reply to the memoir by the comte d’Oeinhaussen on Belletti’s election as Tuscan consul.
A 45-year-old native of Bordeaux, Guillaume Sazÿ, writes in stilted English from Fiume on February 11. Able to speak Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish, and Latin as well as French and English, he has worked in Trieste and Fiume for seven years under Jean Jaques Kick and now seeks an American consulship in any port on the Adriatic or Mediterranean or elsewhere.
From St. Petersburg comes a March 31 letter from a man by the name of Horn, an instructor of the cadet corps who, in his youth, was secretary to M. Soermann, the Dutch resident at Danzig. He has been a courtier in Dresden and Warsaw, has traveled widely, and speaks French, Italian, Latin, German, Polish, and mediocre Russian. Now, at the age of 40, he requests an appointment as consul in St. Petersburg, Hamburg, or Lübeck.
Jean Bernard Linckh, writing from Hirschberg, Silesia, on February 12, reminds Franklin that he called on him in the autumn of 1780 and gave him information about his cloth factory. He now wants a recommendation to American merchants interested in the cloth trade, and offers to serve as consul. He gives several references, of whom the most distinguished is M. de Thulemeyer at the Hague.
Finally, we offer letters sent from the British Isles, all written in English. David Williams, acknowledging that he and Franklin have not corresponded since the beginning of the war, writes on February 14 to recommend a gentleman named Mace for a position as consul, ambassador, or secretary to the ambassador in Constantinople. Mace, who was secretary to the late British ambassador in that city, Mr. Murray, is Cambridge-educated, trained for the clergy (a profession he dislikes), knowledgeable about business, and particularly adept at using cipher, and he speaks French and Italian fluently. A speedy reply is requested.
On February 15 Arthur Bryan and William Bryan, Jr., write from Dublin and acknowledge Franklin’s kind notice of their previous applications. They are now preparing several ships to sail to America, one of which, the Adjuter bound for Baltimore, will soon be ready. Unsure of whether it will be admitted into an American port, they request a passport; the ship will carry a number of “people of property” who intend to settle in the United States. They also offer themselves for the American consulship in Dublin. In a postscript they add that William soon will pay his respects to Franklin in person.
Also from Ireland comes a series of long and, to some degree, repetitive letters from an Englishman who is reluctant to divulge his name but wants to be consul in either Dublin or Waterford. He signs his letters “J. F.,” as near as we can tell; the later ones instruct Franklin to direct replies to “Mr. Freeman” under cover to “G: M: Coote Esqr. M: P: Dublin.” The first letter, written on March 31 from Dublin, explains that he was a successful merchant in London before the war and traded indirectly with America through George Hayley’s firm and Lane, Son & Fraser. He claims to have written pro-American letters and essays in the press and has associations with prominent Whigs: Beckford, the Duke of Richmond, and the Marquess of Rockingham. He has been in Ireland for two years and is involved with a mining operation located on the lands of an unnamed Irish peer. On April 3, writing from Wicklow, he adds more personal details: he is the son of an Oxford-educated Warwickshire clergyman and is now widowed; even his friends George Hayley and the banker James Browne are dead. He has debts with American merchants, having supported distressed colleagues whose remittances failed after the outbreak of the war; perhaps a powerful American could help him reclaim the money. Friends in Ireland offered him a share in their mining venture in an area discussed by the Rev. Dr. Henry in the Philosophical Transactions. One of the investors from Dublin has erected mills for rolling copper and lead. “J. F.” already has sent samples to Bordeaux and is prepared to send some to Philadelphia and New York. He goes on to describe other Irish products suitable for the American trade: fish, woolen goods, and linen second to none. His final letter, written on May 14 from Dublin, indicates that he sent a now-missing letter from Rathdrum on April 11. Since his return from the mines he has mentioned his applications to Franklin only to Major Brooke, the owner of a large and important cotton factory which already has shipped goods to America; Brooke has promised him assistance. Furthermore, having read in the newspapers about America’s financial straits, he proposes a plan for introducing into circulation “a very large Sum in Specie,” about which he wishes to talk with Franklin in person in either Paris or London. In a postscript he adds that he visited the Rev. and Mrs. Bladeen of Dorsett Street, the latter of whom claims to know Franklin quite well; they will be glad to recommend him. Another postscript, now separated from its letter but possibly belonging to the missing one of April 11, requests a personal interview and mentions the writer’s 20-year-old son, a merchant in England, who could assist his father.

Monsieur
Morlaix le 28e. Jer. 1783.
Le Préliminaires de Paix étant Signés, l’indépendance de l’Amerique est assurée á Jamais. Je ne puis m’empecher de vous en témoigner ma Joye, et de Vous felicitter de l’heureux Succés d’une affaire dont la réussitte doit Vous immortaliser, puisqu’on la doit a vos grandes Lumieres et a votre zéle infatigable.
Sans doutte que vous ne tarderez pas (á l’exemple des autres puissances Commercantes) á établir des Consuls et Vice-consuls dans le principaux ports de Mer. Le Notre merittera quelque attention Rapport a la Manufacture du tabac et a notre fabrique de toille.
Comme en qualitté de Correspondant des Agents Génereaux J’ay Servi les Americains toutte la Guerre, Je Supplie Votre Excellance de Vouloir bien Se Souvenir de moy Si elle établit un quelqu’un à Morlaix Sous quélque dénomination que ce Soit. Je puis me flatter d’être en etat de Répondre a vos vuës et J’y apporteray toûjour le plus grand zele.
Je Suis avec un proffond Respect de Votre Excellence Le trés humble et trés Obeissant Serviteur
Pitot Duhellés
S. Exe. Mr. le Docteur franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Grasse, 28 January 1783
From: Grasse, François-Joseph-Paul, comte de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

	Paris Rüe du faubg St. honnoré No. 4 Le 28. Janvier 1783.
Permettez, Monsieur, que J’ay l’honneur De faire a Votre Execellence mon sincere Compliment Sur la Signature des preliminaires De la Paix & Sur l’Independance Reconnue & Definitive Des Etats unis De l’amerique. J’ose me flatter que Votre Execelence Sera plus Convaincüe De la sastifaction que J’ay Ressentie De Ce grand Evenemement que Je ne puis La luy Exprimer Par la Part Essentielle que J’ay le Bonheur D’avoir a L’action qui l’avait Decidé Depuis la fin De 1781.
Je Desirois Temoigner le meme Sentiment a Son Excelence M. le president Du Congrés, si vous voulez Bien avoir la Bonté de vous charger De ma lettre. J’ose Esperer que Ce Second hommage De mon Respect Pour votre Republique ne luy Sera pas moins agreable que Celuy que Je luy a Rendu a york-town. Je voudrois qu’Il me fut Permis D’y joindre un De mes memoires Sur Le Combat naval Du 12 avril, Pour luy Prouver, que quoiqu’Il n’ait En Rien Retardé la Paix, & la Reconnoissance De la Souveraineté De la Republique americaine, Elle ne Scauroit Sans Injustice m’attribuer la Cause De Cet Echec, tout Infructueux qu’Il a Eté Pour Ses Enemis & m’assurer par là la plenitude De Son Estime. Il Doit m’Etre Permis D’avoir cette ambition.

J’ay l’honneur D’Etre avec Respect De votre Excelence Le tres humble & Tres obeissant serviteur
Le Comte DE Grasse

Notation: Le Comte de Grasse Paris 28 Janvr. 1783.