Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 January 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Williams, Jonathan Jr.

Dear Cousin,
Passy, Jan. 20. 1781
Since my last I made a Proposition to M. de Vergennes, that the Government should take the Bargain of the Vessel off our Hands with the Freight we had paid, transport in her our Effects, & fill her up with their own. He did not chuse to embarras himself with the Arrangement necessary to be made for this with different Offices, but kindly offer’d to lend us the Sum if we desir’d it.— Mrs. Cotin & Co. sent me by Mr Grand an Engagement to sign, for the Payment of 150,000 more, being the Price of the Ship, with a Menace that if I did not sign it, we should not have her for that the Owners would oppose her Sailing till they were paid for her. I have refus’d to sign it, seeing no end to such Proceedings; because all the other Creditors of M. de Chaumont as well as the Sellers of the Ship, may, as it seems to me, make the same Demand & Threat with equal Justice. You will inform yourself, whether having paid the Freight we cannot lay hold of the Vessel. If not, we must take our Chance of getting the Goods over this Summer as well as we can. At any Rate the present Winter will be nearly over before they can arrive.— If the Vessel is not deliver’d to us according to Contract, the Account between M. de Chaumont and me will stand thus. I owe him on Account of the Cloth about 28000 l.t. 0. 0
He owes me, over-advance for Payment of his Acceptns abt.

9000.0.0

The Acceptations now paying abt
92,000.0.0

  The Freight advanc’d
200,000.0.0

  The old Drafts of yours accepted by him
50,000.0.0

351,000.0:0

  Deduct
28,000.0.0

  Remains
323,000.00

We have been grievously deceived in this Affair, and suffer’d great Damage in America by the Delays & Chicaneries we have met with. Think & give me your Opinion what is now best to be done. I am ever Yours affectionately
Mr Jona Williams

Notation in Franklin’s hand: Jan. 20. 1781 BF. to Mr Williams Demand & Menace of M de Chaumont’s Creditors refus’d


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 January 1781
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear & hond Sir
Nantes Jan. 20. 1781
Your kind Favour of the 15. Inst came to hand this morning. I am much obliged to you for your Congratulations on the delivery of Mrs Williams, she has been much troubled with one of her Breasts, but is now getting better fast, & she persists in suckling the Child.
I have recvd Mr De Segrays Account approved & will pay it accordingly.
I am rejoiced to hear that no more of Mr de Chaumonts acceptances will come back on me & thank you for your Care in providing for them. I shall by this Post return to Mr Grand the one for 4100 Livres that I have paid here in consequence of its being protested and shall immediately replace all the money I have draw on you lately on this account. There is one Bill for 17014 Livres 10 s. which please not to accept, but tell the person who will present it that as the Bills it was meant to replace will be paid in course at Mr Grands, this one must be returned (without protest) to Mr Carier to whom I furnished it. All the others being sold to different Persons must at all events be paid, & in order to furnish the Cash I will remit to Mr Grand short paper as soon as I can purchase it.— I will acquit young Chaumont of any ill Intention, in saying I owe 40,000 Livres, because he is probably ignorant of his Fathers affairs, it is true however that the Balance of a long accot will turn between 25 & 30000 Livres in Mr de Chaumonts Favour which I will pay him after the Bills I have drawn on him (independant of those on Accot of the States) for about that sum, are paid, which will be at the beginning of the next month. I confess to you I have purposely delayed this remittance, fearing if I let this money go out of my Hands I should have the Bills come back to my Loss; I do not think it proper to give this Reason to Mr de C, but I am sure after such severe Checks as he has had, & the total End of his Credit among merchants, no prudent Merchant would condemn my Conduct. I have already run great Risques for Mr de C & tho’ I have not burned my Fingers yet, I have learned to dread the Fire; he is rich & the assistance I have afforded him is small in comparison to his Fortune, but I have reason to think that it was a very timely succour, & you know a mouse by knawing the Net once relieved a Lion. As soon as the Marquis de la Fayette arrives at L’orient, I will give the greatest dispatch & you may depend I will never involve you in shipping affairs.
I thank you for your offer to accept Mr Austins Bills & I will send them on to Mr Grand accordingly.
I am ever with the greatest Respect Your dutifull & affectionate Kinsman
Jona Williams J
Inclosed is a Letter from Capt Manly in Prison

[Added in another ink:] Entre nous it will be well not to let your advances for ——— exceed what the Freight & Goods amount to—his Credit here is entirely gone, all the ’Change to day are informed of this second stoppage.
Endorsed: 1781 relating to a Sum he ow’d Mr de Chaumont and to the Acceptances
Notation: Jona Williams Jany 20. 1781


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Le Ray de Chaumont, 21 January 1781
From: Chaumont, Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur Le Docteur,
Vlles. [Versailles] ce 21 Janver. 1780 [i.e., 1781]
J’ay Receu hier des Nouvelles et des Remises de L’amerique, il est donc vray que ma fortune Sert a Ma patrie et a La vostre. C’est un titre pour Nous Rendre inseparables.
Je Suis avec Respect, Monsieur le Docteur, Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur
Leray DE Chaumont

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur le Docteur / franklin / A Passi
Notation: Le Ray de Chaumont Jan 21. 1781


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 22 January 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Williams, Jonathan Jr.

Dear Jonathan
Passy, Jan. 22. 1781.
I have just received yours of the 16th. Mr Grand had been with me a few Minutes before, & had shown me your Letter to him of the same Date, advising of the Bills you had drawn on me for 25000 l.t., in order to face M. de Chaumont’s return’d Acceptances: I order’d the Payment of your Drafts, as I had before of all the unpaid Acceptances of the Bills you drew for Soldiers Clothing. H.S. (Habillemens de soldat). And as those return’d to you can only be what you drew for H.O.(habillemens d’Officier) which M. de Chaumont had ordered on his own Account, & which as you wrote to me formerly you must take to yourself, if he did not pay your Bills, I desired Mr Grand to write to you to secure them for the Publick, Officers Cloathing being a Part of their grand Order, which had been omitted; thus the Public will be serv’d, and you will be eas’d. As the Bill 310, for the Payment of which you have drawn on me & remitted your Bill to Messrs Courault freres, is probably one of those for H.S. which I had already ordered to be paid by Mr Grand,* it will be proper for you to withdraw your Bill before it becomes due; otherwise I shall pay twice, for the same Object: And you will avoid making more such Drafts. M. de Chaumont writes me of yesterday from Versailles that he has just receiv’d News & some Remittances from America, and that his Fortune there is employ’d in the Service of the Army;— The Receipts of the Army when he can produce them to Government here will be ready Money for him, and I wish they may come soon. On the whole I hope the Destruction of his Credit will do him no harm; it may prevent his excessively numerous and hazardous Adventures: And if his Estate be as it is represented, he can sit down upon it & live without Trading. As to the Ship, I know not whether we shall have it or not. Mrs. Jauge & Cotin, as I wrote you before, threaten that we shall not, without advancing 150,000 l.t. more, which I will not do. M. Jauge had also the Folly to intimate to me that I should also lose the Freight I had paid, viz. the 200,000 l.t. altho’ M. de Chaumont had under his hand promis’d to refund it to me, if the Vessel did not arrive: For that Promise he said would bear a great deal of Discussion. I have no great Opinion of that Man’s Honesty. Take Care of him. I am ever, Your affectionate Uncle.
BF
Mr Williams

Notation in Franklin’s hand: Mr F. to Mr Williams Jan. 22. 1781 / Jauge & Cotin’s Threats that we should not only lose the Ship but the Freight we had paid.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 22 January 1781
From: Neufville, Jean de, & fils
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honourd Sir.
Amsterdam the 22 January 1781.
In consequence of the intimacy Your Excellency honourd us with, we hope it will not displease her, if we acquaint her with the Accession of our States to the Armed Neutrality, which hath been signd at the Court of Russia, and assures us of vindicating(?) our Common Concern with the English Court with joint force and spirits. We think this event will give again a great influence on the American Cause and therefore think we may congratulate her Minister upon it as we most hearthily do, assuring Your Excellency of the most perfect regard with which We will always have the honour to be Your Excellencys most devoted And Most Obedient humble Servt.
John DE Neufville & Son
To his Excellency B Franklin Esqr. at Passy.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Robeson, 22 January 1781
From: Robeson, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Nantes Jany: 22d: 1781
Having for sometime past Resolved on my Return to America, and for this Purpose had Sollicited my good & Worthy Friend Mr. Williams, to procure me a Passage in the M. D L Fyatte, Which he was so Politely Civil as to do, but the detention or Delay of this Ship, has far Exceeded my Exspectation, and her departure Seems at so great a distance that my Mind is Exceedingly Agitated.

And having been Informd there are one or more French Frigates Shortly to Sail from Brest, for Rhode Island, Permit me in this Case to Request your Excellency, Woud be so Obliging as to Exercise your Interest in procurring me a Passage, be Assured I Shall be most Chearfully & heartily disposed to Render Every Service in my power during the Passage the more Particularly on the Coast of America, Should your Excellency think Proper to Entrust any Dispatches to my Care Rely on the Strictest attention being paid them at all times, as on my landing I Shall proceed With all posible dispatch to Congress, a line from your Excellency upon this Occasion Will Confer great Honor, and Render Infinite Service to Your Exccellency Most Obedient Very Humble Servt:
Wm. Robeson
His Excellency Docr Franklin

Notation: Wm. Robeson. Nantes Jan 22. 80


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Conkling, 23 January 1781
From: Conkling, Joseph
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
a La Rochelle 23d. January 1781./.
I beg the liberty to inform Your Excellency that my Brigg The Whim is inter’ly repair’d & ready to take load, but I am a fraid the Neat proceed of my Tobacco as yet unsold will not be sufficient to load my Brigg, even with Salt, after all charges paid, therefore Humbly pray Your Excellency to apply the Marquis De Castries in my behalf for 50. or 60 Tuns freight, to take either here or at Rochefort from the King’s Stores, for Mr. Ternay’s Fleet at Rhodes Island at 150: l.t. Tournois per Tun, on the Condition the Freight paid me before my going away, because it will be some help for my return home at New london. Your Excellency may assure Said Secretary of State of my making the most quick Dispatch there My Brigg being one the best sailing vessel that ever was built which can attest the Young Mr. Gurdon Mumford and if Your Excellency & the Court of France have Dispatches of the greatest consequence for the Congress and the French Fleet and Army to be sent there, no one vessel more proper than mine; if Your Excellency favour me with an answer, be so good to Direct under cover to my Correspondant here Mr: Pre. Borde whose intention & mine were to come to Paris & wait on Your Excellency for this Freight, but we expect every Post an answer from the farmers Generals to Buy my Tobacco which I am afraid nobody Else will Buy, on account of his having been in the Salt Water when I did run a shore.
I am Very Respectfully Sir Your most Humble & most obedient Servant
Joseph Conkling
His Excellency Dr. Franklin Embassador in Paris./.

Notation: Joseph Conkling Jany 23 1781


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 23 January 1781
From: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur,
Lahaie mardi 23 Janv. 1781
Dimanche 21 au soir arriva enfin le Courier attendu, sur les Dépêches duquel on étoit déjà préparé ici par celle du Résidt [Résident] Swart reçue le 21 & écrite par la poste le 5, & dont voici la Substance.
“Le 31 Xbre. dernier, les Plenipes. holl. [Plenipotentiaires hollandais], & Mr. Swart, eurent une derniere conférence avec les Plenipes. Russes, & après quelques Enquêtes sur le Commandement, en cas de Rencontre ou de Conjonction des Vaisseaux & Escadres respectives, étant convenus qu’on s’en tiendroit à ce qui est usité à cet égard entre la Rep. & les têtes Couronnées; sur le Rapport fait à l’Impce. [Impératrice] de cette Conférence, & Sa Maj. [Majesté] l’ayant approuvée, l’accession convenue de la Rep. aux Traités de la Russie avec la Suede & le Danemarc, pour la protection réciproque du Commerce & de la Navigation des sujets respectifs, fut conclue & signée de part & d’autre le 4e. Janv. entre les dits Plenipes.; & les Actes devoient s’en expédier le 5 ou 6 (par le susdit Courier) pour être ratifiés.
Pendant toute la Négociation, les Anglois n’ont épargné ni artifices ni pratiques, pour faire exclure la rep. de cette Alliance; rien, surtout, n’égale les efforts qu’ils ont fait pour cela jusqu’au dernier moment: Mais l’Impce. & son Ministere; inébranlables, ont rebuté ces efforts avec fermeté & indignation.”
Je crois, Monsieur, vous avoir déjà parlé des Couriers expédiés pour déclarer aux diverses Cours l’accession de la Rep. Il y a environ 8 jours qu’on en a dépêché d’autres aux Puissces. [Puissances] du Nord, pour demander leur secours contre la Gr. Br.
Quand vous jugerez à propos, Monsieur, de m’envoyer la Lettre pour réclamer, selon la Résolution du Congrès, le Vaisseau des Etats pris à Saba, il vous plaira de mettre pour adresse à Leurs Hautes Puissances les Etats-Généraux des Provinces Unies des Pays-Bas. Je tiens toujours les Papiers tout prêts, pour en faire l’usage requis, avec la Lettre, de concert avec Mr. le gd. Fr. [grand Facteur].

Je suis toujours avec le plus sincere respect, Monsieur Votre très-humble & très obéissant serviteur
Dumas

Je me recommande pour la confirmation des bonnes nouvelles qui se répandent ici touchant la mauvaise situation de Cornwallis & Leslie;—le débarquement des françois de St. Domingue en Caroline; les prises considérables que l’on dit avoir été faites à la hauteur de Charlestown par une Escadre françoise;—la reprise d’Augusta en Georgie par le Col. Clarke;— la victoire du Genl. Morgan en Caroline sur la Légion de Tarleton, &c.
Passy à S.E. Mr. Franklin

Addressed: à Son Excellence / Monsieur B. Franklin / Mine. Plenip. des / Etats-Unis / à Passy./.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Rush, 23 January 1781
From: Rush, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Philada Jany 23rd. 1781.
Dr Rush’s most respectful compliments to his venerable father, and friend Benjamin Franklin Esqr &c and begs the favor of him to forward the enclosed letters to the persons to whom they are addressed.— He has left one of them open for the Doctors perusal—in which he will see that the good old cause continues to flourish under the auspices of heaven and our good ally the king of France.

Addressed: His Excellency / Benjamin Franklin Esqr: / Minister Plenipoteny: / from the United states / to the Court of / Versailles—now / at Passy—near Paris.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to James Searle, [25 January 1781]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Searle, James

Passy, Thursday [January 25, 1781]
Mr Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr Searle, is glad to hear of his safe Arrival from Holland; and thanks him for his Care of the Letter from Leiden.
Mr Franklin will be happy to have the Company of Mr Searle at Dinner on Sunday next, if it may suit Mr Searle to do him that honour.

Addressed: Honble. Mr Searle / Hotel de Valois / Paris /
Endorsed: Recd. Friday 26. Janry. 81 Dor. Franklins Note 25. Janry. 1781


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 25 January 1781
From: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honored & dear Sir
Lahaie 25 Janv. 1781
The same Courier, who, as I told you in my last, has brought, on the 21st. instant, the Treaty Signed by each of the contracting Parties, has delivered another Letter from the Dutch Embassadors at Petersb. to Mr. Fagel the Greffier of their H.M., communicated by him to the Gr. Py. [Grand Pensionary], wherein they add this more: that Sir Harris, the English Envoyé at Petersb., having given the Empress to understand, why her receiving the Rep. into the Alliance could possibly bring on a war between her & his King, She answered, that this reason Should not hinder her from doing what was proper to be done.
It is said in some of our Niewspapers, that te Russian Minister has left the British Court. But I am not sure of this.
I hope you enjoy a good health, & am with true respect, honored & dear Sir, yr. very humble & obedient servant
C.W.F. Dumas
Passy à Son Exce. Mr. B. Franklin

Addressed: His Excellency / B. Franklin, Min. Plenipo: / of the United States / Passy./.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Poivre, 25 January 1781
From: Poivre, Françoise Robin de Livet
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Ce 25. Jer. [1781]
Mad. Poivre anciene intendante de L’isle de france a un jeune frere Excellent sujet qui a fait ses Etudes pour entrer dans L’artillerie.
Une ordonnance du Roy vient de prescrire des preuves de noblesse pour Entrer dans ce corps. Le frere de Mad. Poivre n’Etant pas en état de Les faire est obligé de se destiner à une Autre Carriere.
La Cause de L’amerique a echauffé L’ame de ce Jeune homme.
Peut-il Esperer un Brevet d’offer. [officier]? Ou faut-il se borner à servir simplement en qualité de volontaire? Quant à present le Jeune frere de Mad. Poivre n’est pas riche, Un jour il sera dans l’aisance.
Si l’Etat Militaire n’offroit pas un Moien sur de s’avancer, Ce Jeune homme ne pourroit il pas s’attacher à une forte Maison de Commerce de La nouvelle Angleterre.
Mad. Poivre qui a deja reçu des Marques de bonté du respectable Docteur franklin Le prie de Lui donner ses Conseils./.

Notation: Made. Poivre.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 25 January 1781
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear & hond Sir
Nantes Jan. 25. 1781.
I have received your esteemed Favour of the 20 Inst and see with great Concern your Position with regard to M. de Chaumont.— In order to act with legal propriety with regard to the Marquis de la Fayette, I have thought it prudent to take the advice of Council, and in consequence of it I have this day written my Friends at Bordeaux a Letter of which the inclosed is a Copy. Please to transmit to them M. de Chaumonts Receipt without loss of Time. I am sorry to observe to you that unless we force a compliance with the Charterparty & load the ship accordingly so as to make the Freight due I do not find any other Way of securing your Reimbursement, and I fear you will be obliged to come in with the Creditors & take a Proportion of what Mr de C may finaly pay. If he pays all (& I hope he will do even more so as to secure his Family in their Hopes) you will lose only the Time, but even that is a great Disadvantage to our affairs. If we should fail of getting the ship round to L’Orient by the legal steps I have taken, I know of no other Way of doing it than by the assistance of Government, and as the Matter is so clearly Just & so evidently injurious to the States if not compleated, I think they will not refuse to order the ship to go the Voyage, as to what further Expences, the Vessell may make the remainder of the Freight you will have to pay & what she makes by other Freight from Bordx. to L’Orient will amply provide for them, for I suppose the Tonnage will amount to about 1200 which at £200 per Ton will be £240,000 Livres & it is probable she will gain to the Owners about 10,000 Livres in Freight to L’orient.
I should not have taken the steps I have done to force the ship from Bordx without first asking your Opinion, but Time will not permit me to have that, & my Lawyer strongly advises the Measure without delay: I hope therefore you will approve my Conduct.
The Bills I stood engaged to M. de Chaumont for will come back, so that instead of owing him a large Sum as his son told you, I shall owe him but a Trifle, & I think the Event justifys my prudence; if I had done what he desired me pressingly to do I should now owe 400,000 Livres more than I should be able to pay, but luckily I shall not lose a sol.
  I have in my Hands belonging to him, which I was to have shipped on his accot to America a quantity of fine Cloth &c for Officers Cloathing the prime Cost of which is 25551 10.

A Quantity of other Goods such as Cloths Linnens, Hatts, Velvets Leather Breeches & Gloves first Cost is about &
23000.---

I shall owe him a Balance of about
  5000

£48,551.10.*

If you can make a purchase of him of these Articles & get an order on me for the Delivery of them it will be so much secured, if it is done before a Failure is declared, because as in the Bankrupt Laws in England after a Failure no act of the Bankrupt is valid, but all must share alike.— I shall continue to write as anything Occurs & in the mean time am as ever with the greatest Respect Yours most dutifully & affectionately
Jona Williams J

*P.S. I find on Examination of the accot that after reimbursing the Bills I shall not probably have anything in hand, therefore do not depend on any Balance from me.—

Notation: J Williams 25 Jan 1781


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Balthazar-Georges Sage, [before 27 January 1781]
From: Sage, Balthazar-Georges
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
[before January 27, 1781]
Je me proposois d’aller faire hommage de Cet exemplaire de l’art d’essayer L’or et Largent que je viens de publier, mais mon tems est si occupé par mon Cours public, et par La guerre Litteraire que j’ai a soutenir Contre des personnes qui ont pour troupes auxiliaires, Lintrigue et passablement de mauvaise foi, qu’il ne me reste pas un Moment de libre. J’ai prié Mr Stinski professeur de physique à prague, qui desiroit avoir Lhonneur de vous voir, d’avoir La bonte de se charger de ce pacquet, que je vous prie d’agreer.
Recevez Monsieur les assurances du Respect avec Lequel je suis votre serviteur
SAGE


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Carmichael, 27 January 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Carmichael, William

Dear Sir,
Passy, Jan. 27. 1781
I have before me your Favours of Oct. 25. Nov. 5. & Dec. 21.— I do not know whether the Duke de Crillon whom you recommend, is come to Paris. That Letter came while I was ill, & I have not since heard any thing of him. But I will enquire for him of the Prince, to whom it was not till yesterday that I was able to pay my Respects & to thank the Princess for their Civilities to my Compatriots at Madrid.— You desire, as she had not the Print she requested, that I would show her the Original to Advantage. It happened unluckily otherwise, for by the Mistake of my Man who it seems had enquired for the Princess instead of the Prince, I was shown into a Dressing Room where a Lady was at her Toilet; and not knowing at first who it was, & expecting the Prince, I was a little puzzled till he came. They speak of you with great Regard.
I wish to know whether the Cloathing you mention in yours of Nov. 5. is gone, and what the Quantity. When I heard of the Taking of Clothing for 15000 Men by the combin’d Fleet, from the English, I thought our Friends had a fine Opportunity of supplying our Wants in an essential not immediately necessary to themselves. I hope it was all sent to America.— Reports are just now spread here, but I do not learn how they came, that M. Galvez has succeded at Pensacola. This gives me the more Pleasure, as when Spain has done her own Business, in recovering Florida, she may perhaps think of helping us to recover Georgia & Carolina. But I own too, that my Expectations of great Aids from that Nation are not much stronger than yours. As yet they know us too little, and are jealous of us too much. Their long Delay in entring into Treaty with us, in pursuance of the secret Article, is to me a Mark of their not being very fond of a Connection with us, in which I think they much mistake their true Inerest, and neglect securing great and permanent Advantages to their Country.—
I thank you for your Information relating to the Batteries opened against me in America. I since hear that a Motion has been made in Congress by a Carolina Member for recalling me; but without Success; and that A. Lee has printed a Pamphlet against me. If my Enemies would have a little Patience, they may soon see me remov’d without their giving themselves any Trouble, as I am now 75. I know not what they can mean by saying that I oppos’d the Settling of Mr Dean’s Acct. I have no Interest to induce such Opposition; and no Opposition has been made. The Congress appointed Mr Johnson of Nantes to audit them, he refus’d the Service, & Mr Deane was till very lately absent.—
I am glad you have met with such Civility from the Marquis d’Yranda. From the Character Mr Grand gives me of him I wish both you & Mr Jay may cultivate his Friendship. He has conceived that Mr Jay is too reserved towards him, qu’il paroit toujours fort boutonné, was I think the Expression in a Letter Mr Grand read to me. Tho’ I did not sooner answer Mr Jay’s & your Letters relating to your Appointments, I took care immediately to order the Credit desired, and I have since accepted the Bill you mention, so that I hope you are now easy as to your particular Affairs, which I wish you may always be, enjoying withal every other kind of Happiness. With great Esteem, I am ever, Your affectionate & most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin

P.S. As I read Spanish a little, I wish you would send me the Gazette of Madrid by the Court Couriers, and any new Pamphlets that are curious. There is also a Book that I desire to have, but it being in two Volumes Folio, you cannot easily find an Opportunity of sending it; It is the Bibliotheca Hispana Nicolai Antoni.
Honble. Wm Carmichael Esqr


Title: Franklin: Entry in François Steinsky’s Autograph Book, 27 January 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

Passy, near Paris, Jan. 27. 1781.
An honest Man’s the noblest Work of God!
  Pope
B Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Dana, 27 January 1781
From: Dana, Francis M.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Saturday Morng: Jany: 27th. 81
Mr: Dana presents his most respectful Compliments to Dr: Franklin, is much obliged to him for his invitation at dinner tomorrow, and will do himself the honor to wait on him accordingly—

Addressed: à Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre Plenipotentiaire &c / Passy
Notation: Mr. Dana Jan 27. 81


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Silas Deane, 27 January 1781
From: Deane, Silas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear sir
Antwerp Jany. 27th: 1781—
I arrived here yesterday but so fatigued by the badness of the Road & Weather that I shall rest untill tomorrow to recover sufficiently, to pursue my Journey; You can expect no Information from me, from a Town, in which I am a Stranger, & from which both Politics, and Commerce, appear to have been long since banished, though from what I have seen of it, it is the best Situation, for the latter to flourish in, that I have ever met with in my Travels. I pray you to present my Compliments to your Son, and send the inclosed to Doctr. Bancroft. I have the honor to be with the most sincere respect Dear sir your most Obed and Very Humle servt.
S Deane
his Excelly. B Franklin Esqr.

Addressed: A Monsr: / Monsr Franklin / Ministre des Etats Unies / De L’Amerique Septentle. / aupres S. M. T. C. / a / Paris
Notation: Silas Deane. Paris 27 Jany 81


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Genet, 27 January 1781
From: Genet, Edme-Jacques
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
a Vlles. ce 27. Janv 1781
Je reçois une lettre de M. Le Cap. Robeson qui est à Nantes. Il désire que je sollicite pour lui un passage en Amerique sur un des batiments du Roi qui pourront être expediés pour les Etats unis. Il me marque en même tems qu’il vous prie d’en faire la demande à M. le Mis. de Castries. Je suis tout prêt à faire les démarches nècessaires, mais comme elles Seroient inutiles tant que M. de Castries n’auroit point reçû votre lettre, je supplie Votre Exce. de vouloir bien m’informer du jour où vous aurés écrit à ce Ministre afin que je puisse agir Sur cette autorité. Je suis avec respect De Votre Excellence Le très humble et très obeissant servr
Genet

Addressed: Mr. franklin Ministre plenipe. / des Etats unis A Passy
Notation: Genet, Versailles 27. Jr. 1780.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier, 27 January 1781
From: Lavoisier, Antoine-Laurent
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
27. janver. 1781.
On vient de me prévenir que l’expedition du salpetre que vous avés désiré faire passer de St. malo à Lorient, Est terminée. Quoique vous en soyès probablement instruit, j’ai neantmoins lhonneur de vous en faire part, et de vous témoigner Combien je Suis charmé que les choses ayent pu s’arranger suivant vos intentions. Je me reproche beaucoup de n’avoir pas Eu l’honneur de vous voir depuis Le commencement de cette année: l’excuse que j’ai a vous offrir, est de nature à mériter toute votre indulgence. Je viens d’avoir le malheur de perdre une tante qui a toujours été pour moi une seconde mere, et à laquelle je ne pouvois etre plus tendrement attaché. Ce cruel événement m’a absorbé tout entier, et m’a fait négliger bien des devoirs. Celui Monsieur, d’aller vous faire ma cour est un de ceux auxquels je regrette le plus d’avoir manqué; mais je ne tarderai pas à reparer mes torts.
Je suis avec un proffond respect, Monsieur Votre tres humble Et très obeissant serviteur,
Lavoisier

Notation: Lavoisier 27. Janr. 1781.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 27 January 1781
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear & hond Sir,
Nantes Jan. 27. 1781.
I have just received your esteemed Favour of the 22 Inst. I see your Intention to take the Officers Cloathing on Accot of Congress & to pay the Bills drawn for HO accordingly; I must observe however that it will be necessary to have an order for Mr de Chaumont for the Delivery of these Officers Cloathing to you as they being bought by his Order & for his Accot are of course at his Sole Disposal, there can be no doubt however of his consent to the Measure and as soon as I receive it I will either remit him the Balance of his Accot or appropriate it to your reimbursement as you may agree.
The Bill I furnished to Courault to replace the one protested is returned & destroyed: the first being finaly paid.—
I am glad to hear that our Friends affairs wear a better Aspect. I wish with all my heart he may get through all his Difficulties. I thank you for your Hint about a certain mans Honesty and shall be cautious in consequence of it.
Three Vessells belonging to M. de Montieu have arrived here from Rhode Island. They bring advice of Mr de Ternay’s Death. All was well on the 15 Decr, Army and Navy in great Health, provisions plenty, & great Unanimity between them & our People. Advices from Quebeck before these Vessells sailed say that we had at least 1000 to 1200 Men of the Enemy in our Hands in several Skirmishes including the Wounded. I do not find an Accot of any particular Action.— The Franklin is arrived at L’orient from Phila. I have a Letter from Mr Jo Wharton which informs me that Mr Palfrey is coming out in the Shelela as Consul General of France, he also says that Col. Laurens is appointed Envoy Extraordinary to Paris on particular Business only his Letter is dated Decr 13. 1780. Mr Ross had safely arrived in the Duke of Leinster the beginning of that month.—
I am ever with the greatest Respect Your dutifull & affectionate Kinsman
Jona Williams J

Notation: Jona Williams Jany 27. 81


Title: Account of the Contents of the 34 Boxes of Printing Letters, &c Cast at Passy, 27 January 1781[–21 June 1785]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

Passy, Jan. 27, 1781[–June 21, 1785]
Account of the Printing Letters cast at Passy and contain’d in the 34 Boxes, which are marked in small Figures with a Pen on the Side of each Cover or Lid. viz

  Nº 1. Pica, old Fashion’d Italic, & some Roman
2. Pica Roman
3. Pica Roman
4. Quadrats & Spaces of Pica, and of Great Primer
5. Italic of common Great Primer
6. Common Great Primer
7. Common Great Primer, 1 page Italic, Flowers to make a square, two line Letters, and a small Parcel of deep-bodied Pica.
8. The Italic of deep-bodied Pica, & some Roman

9. Pica Roman, deep-bodied, & 5 Pages of small Pica roman.
10. Quadrats and Spaces of Great Primer; also Quadrats & Spaces of deep-bodied Pica, with Quadts & Spaces of Small Pica.
11. Small Pica Italic & Roman:
12. Small Pica Roman, two-line Letters, and 4 Pages of Great Primer Roman, large-fac’d.
13. Large-fac’d Great Primer, Roman and Italic.
14. Large-fac’d Great Primer Roman, & 4 Pages of Italic, and three Pages of small Pica Quadrats.
15. Common-fac’d English, with 4 Pages of Spaces & Quadrats of large-fac’d Great Primer.
16. Common-fac’d English, Roman & Italic, 2 line Letters, & Capitals of Pica, Roman & Italic for my new Alphabet.
17. Large-fac’d English Roman, with 4 Pages of Quadrats and Spaces of common-fac’d English.
18. Large-fac’d English, Roman & Italic, with Quads. & Spaces.
19. Bourgeois Roman, with Quads. & Spaces.
20. Bourgeois Roman & Italic, Quads. & Spaces, with 4 Pages of Nonpareil.
21. Nonpareil Roman.
22. Nonpareil Roman and Italic, 2 Line Letters, a Parcel of Bourgeois Quadrats, and some Fancy Capitals for the large fac’d Long-Primer Italic.
23. Brevier Roman.
24. Brevier Roman & Italic, with 2 line Letters, Quadrats, Spaces, and Flowers of different Bodies, & nonpareil Rules.
25. Large-fac’d Long-primer Roman.
26. Large-fac’d Long-primer Roman.
27. Large-fac’d Long-primer Roman, & 2 pages of Italic.
28. One page of Italic of Long primer, & a piece of Roman, with 2 line Letters, Quadrats & Spaces.

29. Oblique-bodied Longprimer, & 7 pages of oblique-fac’d Pica.
30. Oblique-fac’d Pica, X.T. Capitals of large-fac’d long primer, and 4 Pages of fancy-Italic Pica.
31. The Rest of the fancy Italic Pica, the Double Canon Roman & Italic, Quadrats & Spaces, & 2 Pages of Quotations.
32. Great Paragon Roman & Italic, Quadrats, Spaces, 2 line Letters, & some Double Pica, with Common Great Canon.
33. Trismegists or double Great Primer, Small Canon, Quds., Flowers, & several Sorts of Quadrats. 2 Line Letters
34. Quadrats of large-fac’d English with m & n quadts. Interlines and Rules both Cast & of Brass.
Also some Pieces of English Words, as ing, ation, &c.

35. Script or Writing Character cast since the above
36. The same
37. Du petit romain romain à vec litalique et des laittre de deux point &c. petit romain romain.
38. Le petit parangon romain et italique et des Laitre de deux poin de petit parangon à vec Les laitre de deux point de gros romain romain et ditalique.
39. Des laitre de deux poin de petit romain et ditalique, Les laitre de deux point de Cicero romaine et ditalique. Capitalle de fantaisi de Cicero et des cadras de Gros parangon. 1 page de Gros parangon italique, des cadras de Cicero et des Espasse, et La Laitre dinvitation. Frontispice du petit Cotte et des Cadras de petit romain, Les laitre englaise de Cicero, W de Cicero italique.
40. Laitre de deux poin de Cicero, une laitre de change de Cicero couché, des Laitre de gros romain de lautre fonte. Un passepor de gros romain, et un paquet de gros romain, des cadras de gros parangon le petit romain aublique 1 vignaite de bois de laitre pour les Clouest sur bois.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Castries, 28 January 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Castries, Charles-Eugène-Gabriel de La Croix, marquis de

Sir,
Passy, Jan. 28. 1781.
Mr: Dana, late a Member of Congress, who will have the Honour of delivering this Line to your Excellency, desires to lay before you some Papers, relative to the Indemnification which his Majesty has had the Goodness to intend for the American Brigantine Fairplay, unhappily sunk by a Fort at Guadaloupe; to which Papers I request your Excellency would be pleased to afford a favourable Attention. I am with Respect, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servant
B Franklin
His Excellency M. le Marquis De Castries


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to James Searle, 28 January 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Searle, James

Sunday Morning Jan. 28. 81
Mr Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr Searle, is sorry he could not have the Pleasure of his Company at Dinner to day; but hopes Mr Searle will make him Amends on Tuesday next when Mr. F. will have no other Company, that the Conversation Mr Searle proposes to honour him with may not be interrupted.—

Endorsed: Recd. at 5. OClock on Monday Evg.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from James Searle, 29 January 1781
From: Searle, James
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Hotel de Valois 5. O Clock Monday Eveng. 29. Janry
Mr. Searle’s best compliments wait on Doctor Franklin. Mr. S, did not receive the Doctors obliging invitation dated on sunday morning until this moment 5. O, Clock on Monday Evening, but if it had been received as soon as might have been expected Mr. S. coud not have had the honour to dine with the Doctor tomorrow, as Mr. S. has been some days engag’d to dine to morrow with Monsr. De Beaumarchais.
Mr. S. feels himself peculiary unfortunate in being so long deprived of one of the first Gratifications he had promised him on his arrival at Paris, the happiness of seeing Dor. Franklin, but woud willingly hope that all future impediments will be very soon removed.

Notation: Searle. Paris 29 Jany. 1781


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to William Hodgson, 30 January 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hodgson, William

Dear Sir
Passy Jan 30. 81.
I recd your Favour of the 9th. Inst. I am convinc’d of the Reasonableness of your Remarks, and leave the Disposition of the Money entirely to your Discretion. As I had formerly written to Mr Digges on the same Subject, and on the Stoppage of our Correspondence wrote to you, I wish it may be convenient to you to see him, so as that you may not be both doing the same thing unknown to each other. I will immediately order an Additional Sum into your Hands, as I hear the Prisoners are encreas’d. With many Thanks & Blessings. I am, Dear Sir, Y. m. o. & m. h. S.
Mr. Hodgson


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Princess Dashkova, 30 January 1781
From: Dashkova, Princess Ekaterina Romanovna
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Hotel de la Chine Jan: 30th. [1781]
The Princess of Daschkaw presents her best thanks to Dr Franklin for his kind note and will be happy to see him next saturday Evening the third of February if convenient to him.—

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur de Franklin / a Passy.
Notation: Duschkaw Princess. Hotel de Chine Jany. 30


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 30 January 1781
From: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur,
Lahaie 30e. Janv. 1781
Le Manifeste n’a pas encore été publié de la part de cette Rep. parce que les Villes d’Amstm. & de Dort ne sont point contentes de celui qui est dressé, ne le trouvant pas assez fort; on en fera donc un autre.— Le Courier parti pour Petersbourg le 12 seulement de ce mois, afin de demander les secours de l’Union neutre, ne pourra être de retour que vers le 20 du mois prochain: voilà bien des longueurs; & la guerre de la part de cette union ne sera pas bien vive, & laissera le temps aux Anglois, malgré leur mauvais jeu, de gagner des points, s’il faut, à chaque pas, envoyer des Couriers d’un bout de l’Europe à l’autre, pour savoir ce qu’on a à faire. Cependant, comme par là-même la guerre sera prolongée, je pense avec Mr. Adams, que la ruine de l’Angleterre n’en sera que plus complete, & la catastrophe dont elle est menacée plus funeste. Le dénouement peut même être plus proche que Mr. Adams ne pense. On dit que le mécontentement & le murmure y augmentent considérablement. Les grains y sont renchéris considérablement. Ce qui coûtoit cent, coute 175 à present: le pain est à Londres à 10 pence la livre.

Probablement la Rep. fera dans peu la démarche de demander à la France le secours de ses forces aux Indes-or [orientales]. On l’a proposée au Str., qui l’approuve. Je suis avec les sentimens de respect & d’attachement que vous connoissez, Monsieur Votre très humble & très obéissant serviteur
Dumas

On garnit nos côtes de troupes contre des descentes peu à craindre, à cause des bancs qui les bordent. Je ne vois pas la même diligence pour l’équipement de la Flotte.
Passy à Son Exc. Mr. B. Franklin

Addressed: His Excellency / B. Franklin, Min. Plenipo: / from the United States / &c. / Passy./.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Gourlade & Moylan, 31 January 1781
From: Gourlade & Moylan
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honord Sir
L’Orient 31 Januer 1781
We received the honor of your Letter of the 20th. inst. and in consequence of it’s contents, we have paid Cap: Nicholasson Broughton of Marble-Head, seventy two Livres, for wch. you will find his rect. Inclosed & for wch sum we have debited your acct.
The Ship Marquis of Fayette do’s not yet appear.
We have the honor to be with the utmost respect Honord Sir Your most obt & most humble sts
Gourlade & Moylan
The Honorable Doctor B. Franklin &ca &ca

Addressed: The / honorable Doctor Binjamin Francklin / à Passy
Notation: Gourlade & Moylan 31 Jan. 81


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Catharine Greene, [31 January 1781]
From: Greene, Catharine
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Very Dear Friend
[January 31, 1781]
Mr Greene Writes you in the Greatest hurry a Person waiting for his letter and Several Persons waiting to Do Business. I wrote you by Capt Jenkins two letter not expeckting the first to go hope they will both Come Safe and hope you will favor us with a line. When will you Come home we long to See you Exceedingly we have not had a line from you this year your Poor Sister is quite impatient to hear from you but is Very well and we love and Comfort her all we Can. The Wicked Wretched Arnold is in Virginia with 18 hundred men and has Ravagd Richmond. My hurry is So great Cant write more than that I love you Dearly yr freind Sincere
C Greene


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Greene, 31 January 1781
From: Greene, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

  Sir/
Warwick State Rhode Island &c. 31st January 1781
This will be handed to you by Mr. John Murray a young Gentleman whose Friends are in England from whom he has been absent in America ever since his infancy, he having resided Principlely within this State, have had an oppertunity of being informed with respect to his Charecter. Do therefore recommand him to your Perticular Notice.
Have nothing very material that I think will be prudent to communicate as it is uncertain into whose hands this may fall, save that one of the British Ships a few Days pass’d being the Coloden of seventy four guns went on shore upon long Island and is stranded. Likewise a fifty gun Ship is dismasted.
Your sister is with her Grand Daugter Greene and two great Grand Children, they together with my Family are well, who desire their sincere regards and pleas to axcept the same from your sincere Friend and most Humble Servant.
W. Greene
Doctr: Franklin.

Addressed: Doctr. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Charles-Pierre Lenoir, 31 January 1781
From: Lenoir, Jean-Charles-Pierre
To: Franklin, Benjamin

a Paris Ce 31. Jer. 1781
J’ai L’honneur de vous envoyer, Monsieur, la permission, que vous desirez, pour que la Caisse de livres arrivée à la douane a votre adresse, Soit delivrée à la personne que vous chargez de la retirer, Sans Etre portée à la chambre Syndicale.
J’ai L’honneur d’être avec un Respectueux attachement, Monsieur, Votre tres humble et très obeissant serviteur
Lenoir
M. Franklin.

Notation: Le Noir Paris 31. Janr. 1781.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to the Comtesse de Golowkin, 1 February 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Golowkin, Wilhelmina von Mosheim, comtesse de

Chere Amie,
Passy, Feb. 1. 1781
I have just received a Newspaper from Philadelphia, dated Decemr. 5. wherein there is a Paragraph that I know must give you Pleasure, as it shows that our Friend was then well. I therefore transcribe and send it to you, viz.
“Friday last arrived in this City the Chevalier de Chatelleux, Marechal de Camp, one of the Forty of the French Academy, a Gentleman no less conspicuous in the Republic of Letters than in the Profession of Arms. The General was attended by his Aids, the Baron de Montesquieu, Grandson of the great Montesquieu, Capt. Lynch & Col. Duplessis.”

Please to return by the petit Poste the German Papers I sent you; and believe me with great Regard, Your most obedient & most humble Servant
B Franklin
My Grandson presents his Respects


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 1 February 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Williams, Jonathan Jr.

Dear Jonathan,
Passy, Jan. 22. 1781.
I received yours of the 25th. past. Mr. Chaumont, who continued at Versailles during his Difficulties, now appears again at Paris, having as I hear received 500,000 Remittances from America, with which he has resumed his Course of Payments. I have not yet had an Opportunity of making the Proposal to him, which you mention, relative to the Cloth, but shall before next Post. I hope the Ship is arriv’d at L’Orient, before this Time, as his Son told me some Days since that She was sailed. Your Step in writing to Bordeaux was a prudent …
Mr. Williams.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Chevalier de Chastellux, 1 February 1781
From: Chastellux, François-Jean de Beauvoir, chevalier de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
a newport le 1er fevrier 1781
Instruit a aimer et à estimer encore plus votre patrie depuis que je la vois de plus près, ce sentiment est inseparable de celui que j’ai depuis longtems pour le digne representant qu’elle a en france. Il m’est infiniment agreable, comme françois de rendre temoignage en amèrique à la juste consideration, ou plutôt à l’enthousiasme aussi bien senti que bien merité que vous avés inspiré à ma nation. Ami des lettres et allié de l’amerique, je dois respecter et aimer Mr franklin plus que personne. Vous pouvés donc vous en rapporter a moi lorsque je vous assure que Mr Laurens partage mes opinions et mes sentimens, et qu’après le bien de sa patrie, ce qu’il desire le plus au monde, c’est votre estime et votre amitié. Je suis sur que vous trouverés en lui la capacité pour les affaires jointe au zele d’un citoyen et à la candeur d’un soldat. Il peut paroitre éttonant que je vous recommande un de vos compatriotes, mais ayant préparé et operé la revolution de la moitié de l’amerique pouvés vous connoitre tous ceux que vous avés affranchis?
C’est a Philadelphie que j’ai connu Mr Laurens et c’est là que vos lettres m’ont valu le meilleur accueil de Mr Reed et de la societé academique. Agrées en mes remercimens ainsi que l’assurance des sentimens sinceres avec les quels j’ai lhonneur d’etre votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur
LE CH DE CHASTELLUX


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Newenham, 1 February 1781
From: Newenham, Thomas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir,
Brussells Febry. 1st 1781
The Books which your Excellency will receve from the bearer were deliver’d to me by My Uncle Sr Edward Newenham. I have also a letter from that Gentleman to your Excellency which (as it contains little more than an introduction) I mean to deliver in person to your Excellcy: when I do myself the honour of waiting on you.
I am Sir with the greatest Respect your Excellcy: most obedient St
Thomas Newenham

Addressed: To / His Excellency Ben: Francklin / Minister plenipotry: / from the United States of / America / Paris
Notation: Newenham Feby. 1. 1781.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Two Letters, 1 February 1781
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

I.
Dear & hond Sir
Nantes Feby 1. 1781
Since my last I have a ship loaded with Sugar & Cotton from Port au Prince (but belonging to Boston) arrivd at L’Orient to my address. I have written a Letter to Mr Necker which I inclose, you will see the subject by reading it, & if you approve the Application please to send it to him; if not please to destroy it.
Every Post informs me that the ship is ready but she is notwithstanding still at Bordeaux. If I had not made the Bargain for her I could now ship the Goods in American Bottoms as there are 2 or 3 ships at L’Orient.— I have sent Mr de Chaumont his Accot Currt by this days post & as I have already been obliged to reimburse the Bills H-O at Paris (Mr Grand not having paid them) the Balance is in my Favour upwards of 2000 Livres. If you take these Cloathing I will repay Mr de Chaumont by you, I suppose the Bills being reimbursed proceeds from some error of Clerks but it makes no difference so if you please you may let the Affair take its Course.
I am in grate haste most dutifully & affectionately Yours
Jona Williams J

Endorsed: Ship still at Bourdeaux. He could now send the Goods by others if he had not depended on her;
Notation: Jona. Williams Feb 1 1781

II.
Dear & hond Sir
Nantes Feb. 1. 1781.
I am continualy receiving applications from Prison, & I wish I knew how to answer them, but it is impossible for any private man to satisfy the Wants of his Countrymen in confinement. I should be glad however to comfort these poor Fellows all in my Power, & therefore wish you could give me any Information of a probable Exchange, which I will immediately communicate to them, if this cannot be please to give me a Reason so as to satisfy them that Endeavours are not wanting for their Relief.
I left out of my last the Letter for Mr Necker but you now have it inclosed.
I am ever Yours most dutifully & affectionately
Jona Williams J

Notation: Jona Williams Feb 1. 1781


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé Chalut, 2 February 1781
From: Chalut, abbé ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

ce 2. fevrier [1781]
Le Diné que M. Chalut de Verin se propose de donner demain Samedi à Monsieur Franklin et à Monsieur son fils se fera à Paris place Vendome.

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin ministre / plenipotentiaire des Etats-unis d’amerique / A Passy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse de Golowkin, 2 February 1781
From: Golowkin, Wilhelmina von Mosheim, comtesse de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

ce 2. Fevr. [1781]
Je vous remercie un million de fois, mon cher et bon Papa, des nouvelles que vous m’avès donnè, elles m’onts fait d’autant plus de plaisir, que je commençois à être inquiète de ce qu’on n’en avoit pas reçu par le dernier Courier, vous êtes bien bon de vous souvenir de moi, et de me le prouver d’une manière aussi aimable; je vous assure, mon cher Papa, que je pense beaucoup à vous, qu’il me tarde bien de vous revoir, j’espere que ce seras incessemment, me permettrès vous, de vous aller demander à dejeuner? On avoit promis de me mêner, mais cela seras long, et je crois que je prendrai mon parti d’aller toute seule.
Je vois que dans tous les paÿs du monde, on rends justice à mon Ami, et c’est un grand plaisir pour moi. J’aurois bien voulû vous repondre en Anglois mon cher Papa, je n’ai pas osè, mais j’ai êtè fort aise que vous m’aÿès ècrit dans cette langue, que j’aime, et que je veux cultiver encore davantage.
Nous n’avons pas de nouvelles qui puissent vous interesser; me. de Tonnère est de nouveau bien mal, son lait lui est montè dans la tête, je crains bien, que nous ne la perdions. Comment vas la Musique? J’ai une jolie Romance que je vous apporterai la première fois que j’irai vous voir; je vous renvoÿe mon cher Papa, les papiers allemands avec bien des remerciment, je les ai trouvès très-bien ècrit, j’ai esperè que vous me permeterès de garder l’Almanac que j’aime parcequ’il vient de vous. Adieu, my Dear Papa, je vous embrasse tendrement et vous aime de même—
Je suis bien sensible au souvenir de Mr. Votre petit fils, il recevras incessemment des billets pour le Spectacle de Me. de Montesson.
Si vous avès encore quelqu’autre nouvelle interressante pour moi aurès vous la bontè de vous souvenir de moi mon cher Papa? J’aurais bien tort d’en douter après ce que vous venès de faire—
On vient de me dire que Me. de Tonnère est sans esperance.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Coffyn, 3 February 1781
From: Coffyn, Francis
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
Dunkerque ce 3. fevrier 1781.
La presente Sera remise à Votre Excellence par Monsieur Thos. Wynns, qui avec Son Jeune frere qui l’accompagne ont eu le malheur d’etre pris par les Ennemis, au mois de Septembre dernier en se rendant de l’amerique à Bordeaux Sur un navire dans lequel ils etoient interessés. Ils ont eu l’addresse de Se Sauver des prisons d’angleterre, et ils Se proposent de Se rendre dans un des ports de france en passant par Paris, pour y chercher l’occasion d’un navire pour retourner dans leur patrie; comme ils m’ont été recommandé par mon ami M. Bowens d’ostende, Je leur ai fourni l’argent que Je leur ai cru neçessaire pour Se rendre dans la Capitale; leur qualité d’americain, et l’empressement que Votre Excellence temoigne toujours pour Secourir ceux qui Sont dans le cas ou Se trouvent les dits freres Wynns, rend toute recommendation en leur faveur inutile.
Je Suis avec un tres profond respect de Votre Excellence Le tres humble & tres obeissant Serviteur
F. Coffyn

Addressed: A Son Excellence / Monsieur B. Franklin, / Ministre Plenipotentiare des Etats unis / de l’amerique, à la Cour de france / en son hotel / à Passi près de Paris
Notation: F Coffyn Feb 3 1781


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to [Georgiana Shipley], [after 3 February 1781]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hare-Naylor, Georgiana Shipley

[after February 3, 1781]
 … must now be near its End, as I have compleated my 75th Year. I could wish to see my dear Friends of your Family once more before I withdraw, but I see no Prospect of enjoying that Felicity. Let me at least have that of hearing from you a little oftner.
I do not understand the Coldness you mention of the Nights in the Desart. I never before heard of such an Observation. If you have learnt what was the Degree of Cold, and how it was observed, and what Difference between the Night and the Day, you will oblige me in communicating it. I like to see that you retain a Taste for Philosophical Enquiries.

I recd also your very kind Letter by a Made. Sherbinin with whom and the Princess her Mother I am much pleased; tho’ I have not seen them so often as I wish’d, living as I do out of Paris.
I am glad to hear that you all pass’d the Summer so agreably in Wales, & I felicit you, as the French say, on the Increase of your Brother’s Family.
Accept my Thanks for your Friendly Verses, and good Wishes. How many Talents you Possess! Painting, Poetry, Languages, &c. &c. all valuable, but your good Heart is worth the whole.
Your mention of the Summer House, brings fresh to my Mind all the Pleasure I enjoy’d in the sweet Retreat at Twyford, the Hours of agreable and instructive Conversation with the amiable Family at Table, with its Father alone; the delightful Walks in the Garden & neighbouring Grounds: Pleasures past & gone forever! Since I have had your Fathers Picture I am grown more covetous of the rest; every time I look at your second Drawing, I have regretted that you had not given to your Juno the Face of Anna Maria, to Venus that of Emily or Betsey; and to Cupid that of Emily’s Child as it would have cost you but little more Trouble. I must however beg that you will make me up a compleat Set of your little Profiles which are more easily done. You formerly obliged me with that of the Father; an excellent one. Let me also have that of the good Mother, and of all the Children. It will help me to fancy myself among you, and to enjoy more perfectly in Idea the Pleasure of your Society. My little Fellow-Traveller, the sprightly Kitty, with whose sensible Prattle I was so much entertained, why does not she write to me? If Paris affords any thing that any of you wish to have, mention it. You will oblige me. It affords everything but Peace! Ah! when shall we again enjoy that Blessing!
Next to seeing our Friends, is the Pleasure of hearing from them, and learning how they live. Your Accounts of your Journies & how you pass your Summers, please me much. I flatter myself you will like to know something of the same kind relating to me. I inhabit a clean well-built Village situate on a Hill, in a fine Air, with a beautiful Prospect, about 2 Miles from …


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 4 February 1781
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear & hond Sir
Nantes Feb. 4. 1781.
I received in course your kind Favour of the 29 Jan. & would have answered it by return of Post if Mrs Williams’s Situation had not required my constant attention. She is now thank God much better & I hope soon to see her recover fast.— Notwithstanding you heard on the 29th that the marquis de la Fayette was sailed. I am sure she was not gone from the Garonne the 30th nor have I any positive Accounts of her having yet heaved up her anchors. I am however assured she waits only for a Wind but I shall believe nothing ‘till I hear of her arrival in L’Orient. I have sent off my first Clerk to do everything necessary for her Dispatch & as soon as Mrs Williams’s Health will permit I will go myself.
I have advice from L’Orient that the Droit de Frêt on the Aurora (about £4000 Livres in the whole) is demanded & a permit to unload is refused untill it is either paid or the order of Mr Necker produced. I therefore request you will send my Letter to him immediately & please to add a Recommendation from yourself so as it may be attended to. Our Director tells me that I ought not to pay it particularly as the Spaniards are exempt & we are by Treaty to be Treated as the most favoured Nation.
I thank you for your Care of the Printing Press & shall be glad to know how much it Cost so as to replace the Money.— I have already placed in Mr Grands hands more than sufficient to pay what I drew on You for, in consequence of Mr de C——s stoppage.

Your Favour of the 1st Inst is also before me. I am rejoiced to hear that Mr de Chaumont goes on again & hope he will continue— I am glad to find you approve of the Step I took in the Bordeaux Business. I have since written to my Friends to do nothing if there appears no Intention to detain the ship because if weather should detain her all the legal methods in the World will not get her out, & it is disagreeable to get into Quarrells when they can be avoided, and as Mr de C now pays I suppose the motive for detention does not longer subsist.
I shall be obliged to you if you will order a Ream or two of the proper Paper for my printing Press to come with it for I do not think I can get any here thin enough.
I am ever with the highest Respect Dear & hond Sir Your dutifull & Affecte
Jona Williams J
His Excelly Dr Franklin

Notation: Jona Williams Feb 4. 1781


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Carmichael, 6 February 1781
From: Carmichael, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir,
Madrid 6th. Feb. 1781
I sincerely grieve for the Cause that hath deprived me of the honour of hearing from you lately & I hope that this will find it removed & your Excellency restored to Health & Spirits.
Mr. Cabarus charges himself with the Delivery of it. This Gentleman was among the first of my Friends here, & hath been uniformly such to our Country; He enjoys the Confidence of the Ministry in general & more particularly that of the Minister of Finance. He negociated a Loan for 9 millions of Dollars last Year & at present negociate another for the Spanish Government, of the first Payments of which Mr. Jay hath been promised a part. This Gentleman can in one conversation give you a better Idea of the Political & Litterary Situation of this Country, than I can do by many Letters, and I am sure he will be happy to contribute in any manner to your Satisfaction, as he hath long expressed an ardent desire of being known to you.
He is very intimate with Mr. Campo-Manes & to him I owe my good reception at that Gentlemans, my Gratitude leads me to return the obligation & I do it fully in presenting him to you, I am with very great Respect, Your Excellencys &c.
(signed) W. Carmichael
His Excelly. B. Franklin.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, 7 February 1781
From: Ingenhousz, Jan
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Vienna in Austria Febr. 7th. 1781
I wrote you a lettre some weaks ago containing an account of some experiments done according to your direction with wires of various metals. I hope you will have recieved it. I did begg the favour of inquiring about a lettre, which Mr. Wharton has sent me and which I never recieved, tho it is of great concern for me. As I have this oportunity, I take the liberty to renew my request and should be very glad if you would give yourself the trouble of readig that lettre over, on purpose to give me an answer, if it was only upon some articles; as I am not ignorant of your more wighty occupations. I am vexed at the ungenerous beheaviour of the English against my country. I hope the Northren powers will now see, that there is no bearing the pride and haughtiness of that Nation, and that they will overthrow that unsupportable despotisme upon the sea. I languish to see good news from your country. If you had some waste American News papers or other writings to send me which are too bulky for the post, you could send them to me by the courier who Sets of every months once or twice from versails to the Frensh Ambassadour at Vienna. The secretary of count de Morepas or mr de chaumont will easily find out ware to send such paket. I am known to the ambassadour here. Pry let me know, when Mr Wharton did set of, and what is become of him. He promised me to write me as soon as he would arrive.
As I have observed a blunder in all the translations of my theory of the Electrophorus, which affects the sense, I will publish a frensh translation of it my self illustrated with new notes, and preceeded by an elementary introduction containing the first elements of your theory. It will allso contain some farther observations on inflammable and explosive airs. This pamphlet will also appear in german an in italien translated under my eyes.
My compliments to your grand son.
I am respectfully dear friend Your most affectionate
J. Ingen Housz

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Le Dr. francklin / ministre des provinces unies / de lamerique / a Passi
Endorsed: Feb. 7. 1781


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to All Captains and Commanders of American Armed Ships, 7 February 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: All Captains and Commanders of American Armed Ships

Gentlemen,
Passey, near Paris Feby. 7th. 1781—
It being authentically represented to me, that the worthy Citizens of Dublin, touched with the general Calamities with which Divine Providence has thought fit lately to visit the West India Islands, have charitably resolved to contribute to their Relief, by sending them some Provisions and Cloathing; and as the principles of common Humanity require of Us to assist our fellow Creatures, tho Enemies, when distressed by the Hand of God, and by no means to Impede the Benevolence of those who Commiserate their distresses, and would alleviate them: I do hereby earnestly recommend it to You, that if the Ship or Vessell in which the said charitable Supplies will be sent to the said Islands, should by the Fortune of War fall into any of your Hands, and it shall appear to You by her authentic Papers, that the Cargo is bona fide composed of such beneficent donations only, and not of Merchandize intended to be Sold for the Profit of the Shippers, you would kindly and generously permit the said Vessel to pass to the Place of her Destination; in doing of which You will not only have the present and lasting Satisfaction of having gratified your own humane and pious feelings as Men and as Christians; but will undoubtedly recommend yourselves to the Favor of God, of the Congress, of your Employers, and of your Country,
Wishing you Success in your Cruizes, I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your most Obedient, and most humble Servant
B. Franklin (sign’d) Minister plenipotentiary from theunited States of America to the Court of France

To all Captains and Commanders of Vessells of War belonging to the Thirteen United States of America, or either of them, or to any of the Citizens of the said States, or to the Allies thereof.
Copy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon: Letter and Poem, 8 February 1781
From: Brillon de Jouy, Anne-Louise Boivin d’Hardancourt
To: Franklin, Benjamin

I.
ce jeudi matin 8 Fevrier [1781]
Voici mon bon papa, une folie de votre fille faitte pour vous, pour vous tout seul; il n’y á qu’a mr votre fils que je puisse vous pérméttre de la montrér: je désire que mon conte vous amuse, cela me payera du soin que j’ai pris de l’écrire en gros caractéres; adieu le meilleur des papas de ce monde possible; souvenés vous toujours que je serois bien fâchée qu’on sçut que je fais quélquefois des vérs; cela n’empêche pas d’éstre une bonne fémme, mais vis a vis de bien des gents, cela donne un vérnis de prétention dont je ne veux point: adieu mon ami, a samedi—vous viendrés n’estce pas? entendre des noëls, et jouér aux dames:/:

II.

  Les quatre saisons conte
On m’accuse d’estre inconstant
et je soutiens que je suis sage;
a la beauté je rends hommage,
Franklin dira, j’en fais autant.
Je veux lui conter mon histoire
si j’eus tort, il me punira;
mais, s’il eut partagé ma gloire
je me flatte qu’il en rira:

Au mois de may je rencontrai glycére;
cétte naïve et follâtre bérgére
n’avoit pas tout a fait quinse ans,
elle nous peignoit le printems.
Ses grands yeux bleu, ses lévres demie closes,
son tein plus frais, plus brillant que les roses,
sa taille ronde et fine en mesme tems,
ses beaux cheveux d’un blond d’argent,
son piéd mignon, sa démarche légére,
tout, tout disoit, il faut aimer glycére:
d’un air touchant, elle me dit un jour;
je chérche a me distraire, et puis je pense encore
à cértain mal, que je crains, que j’ignore,
on dit qu’on l’appélle l’amour:
áh ne crains rien, lui disje ma bérgére;
tu dois aimer, et tu dois toujours plaire;
on te trompois, l’amour est le vrai bien,
les malheureux, sont ceux qui n’aiment rien:
la bérgére me crut, et nous fimes ensemble
bien des progréts en peu de tems.
Elle étoit si jolie! je l’aimai ce me semble;
autant que dura le printems:
L’été suivit, et je fus a Cythére
porter une guirlande aux autéls des amours;
les implorérs, pour moi, pour ma glycére
et leur jurérs de l’adorer toujours:
je revenois resvant; au bord d’une fontaine,
j’appérçus entre les roseaux
couchée nonchallement, la nimphe Celliméne;
elle chantoit et les échos
se plaisoient à répondre, a sa voix dont les charmes
au plus indifférent, feroit vérsér des larmes;
elle avoit détaché son arc et son carquois,
je crus en approchant, voir la reine des bois:
ses yeux prométtoient tout, en semblant le déffendre;
ses bras parfaits, son sourir fin et tendre,
sembloient demander de l’amour
dont on éspéroit le retour:
je l’avouerai; j’oubliai ma glycére,
et mes sérmens, et l’autél de Cythére:

idollastre de la beauté;
d’un feu nouveau, d’une nouvélle chaisne,
mon coeur brula: j’adorai Célliméne!
Je l’adorai tout un été:
L’automne vint, et je vis Erigonne,
dont je devins bientost l’amant.
Doit on me nommer inconstant,
quand on sçaura que la friponne,
de la nimphe avoit la beauté,
et les graçes de la bérgére;
ajouttés y, la volupté
de la déesse de Cythére:
en l’adorant, je crus aimer
et ma glycére et célliméne;
ne doit on pas nous pardonner
l’érreur ou l’amour nous entraisne:
enfin j’aimai. Chacun dira
sur ce sujet, ce qu’il voudra:
je fus touché des charmes d’Erigonne;
elle m’aima; le bonheur dans ses yeux
à chaque instant, faisoit croistre mes feux;
ces feux durérent, tant que dura l’automne:
Cétte saison, énnemie de l’amour;
qui détruit tout, éffarouche les graçes,
par ses frimats, son ton sombre, ses glaçes;
l’hiver enfin, l’hivér vint a son tour:
on languissoit, on éxistoit a peine;
lorsque Cloris arrivant au hameau,
ramina tout d’un feu nouveau;
de nos bérgérs, devint la souvenraine:
on ne peut qu’ésquissér les appas de Cloris,
son minois si picquant, sa taille si légére;
il est cértains momens, ou la belle Cÿpris
rougiroit de dépit, auprés de la bérgére:
rien à Cloris, ne se peut comparér;
rien á Cloris, ne sçauroit résister:
á son réveil, elle ést l’aurore;
á la danse, c’est thérpsicore;
ses grands yeux noirs, brillants, pleins de gayeté,
sa bouche fraische, et son nés retroussé,
mil agréments qu’on ne peut rendre
un air mutin, cachant une áme tendre,

télle est cloris: qui l’a vû, doit aimer,
devenir fou; sans césse l’adorer;
je l’aime donc; je fais plus, je sçais plaire;
l’hiver dit on, est prést a se passér;
de mon amour, rien ne peut me distraire,
cloris a t’elle eut l’art de me fixer:
il faut attendre la saison nouvélle,
pour décider de ce point important;
depuis trois mois je suis resté fidélle,
Franklin jamais n’en pourroit dire autant:/:


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Leendert de Neufville, 8 February 1781
From: Neufville, Leendert de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honoured Sir
Amsterdam 8 feby 1781
I am much oblidged by the honour Your Excellency did me of writing to me the 20th passd. The disagreable Situation of Mr Diggs I alluded to was then caused by Mr Trumbulls mentioning his name in his trial & his thus becoming a more immediate object of Ministrys attention whilest on the other hand Some Americans that owed their escape to his care had behaved rather imprudently by telling their Story to the Capt. of the vessel they came over in; but I am Sorry to Say that this is a good deal worse Still at present Mr Warren & your Mr Brailsford being both taken up the latter with a recommendation letter in his pocket Signed T. D. Your Excellency knows I Suppose that this Mr Brailsford was Said to be author of the letter found with Mr Trumbull Signed White; Thus I find that the Suspicions falling on Mr Dgs he is oblidged to keep much out of the way for fear that the Same insolence might extend to himself; Young Mr Warren was Suspected on acct of his correspondance with Coll Tyler but which I believe has been found innocent; I hope that Mr Digges wil come away in time as the example of Mr Trumbull Shows that innocence can not avail against the inveterate rage of a corrupted Ministry; often his release was promised alreaydy but with no effect as yet.

Mr Temple used to behave with So much caution in writing &ca that nothing absolutely could be done against him; he had Some thoughts I beleave of returning home when I left England but the new warr with our republick has I Suppose interfeared with his plan; I did receive no tiding from him Since & do not know accordingly what his present intentions are.
My Father is much oblidged by Your Excellencys kind remembrance & has ordered me to present her with his best respects.
I thought it my duty to wait on Mr Deane but had not the pleasure to find him at home he did me the favour to ask me by a card whether I had any letters for Paris but the Shortness of the time prevented my getting this ready which I hope wil be Satisfactery; Should Your Excellency desire any other information about Some particular circumstances I wil be very happy in informing her as much as it lays in my power as it is with the greatest veneration & respect I Have the honour to be Your Excellencys Most Obedient & Very humble Servant
L: DE Neufville Son


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Willard, 9 February 1781
From: Willard, Joseph
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir,
Beverly Febry 9th 1781.
The last May the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts incorporated a society under the title of The American Academy of Arts and Sciences, which formed its statutes & elected its officers the latter part of last August. The Act of incorporation, a catalogue of the present officers and the Presidents oration at his inauguration attend this letter.
By the direction of the Academy, I have now the honor of informing your Excellency, that Janry 31st, 1781 you were elected a Member of that literary Body. The Society esteems itself dignified in having your name added to the catalogue; a name, so much and so deservedly celebrated, not only through your native country, but also through Europe; and it flatters itself, that it will ever have your favor and encouragement. I hope, the Philadelphia Society, for which you are particularly interested, and this in Massachusetts, will be not only an honor to the United States of America, but also of extensive utility to the public, as they cannot fail of being, if the ends of their institution are properly pursued.
I have been directed by the American Academy to transmit the Act of incorporation to similar Institutions in Europe. I have sent a copy to the French Academy and to the Royal Academy of Sciences in Paris; but when I transmitted those copies, I forgot the Royal Academy of Inscriptions and Belles Letters. I have now written to Mr d Anville, chief Geographer of the King, and a member of that Academy, and have enclosed the letter with this. I should be much obliged to your Excellency to take the care of it. I have also sent copies to the Royal and Antiquarian Society and to the Society of Arts and Commerce in London. These three copies are enclosed to Dr Price. The letter to him I have committed to the care of Col. Laurens. I should esteem it a favor, if your Excellency would put the Col: in the way of conveying it with safety to London. I should have written to the Societies of Gottingen and Berlin, had I known of the sailing of the Alliance earlier. As we have a communication with Gottenburg, in the way of commerce, I shall endeavor to improve some opportunity in the Spring to send to the Societies of Stockholm and Petersburgh by that route.
If your Excellency’s important public business will allow you leisure, I should be greatly obliged to you, if you would inform me what publications of merit have appeared in France, within these five or six years, particularly in natural Philosophy, Mathematics and Astronomy.

With ardent wishes for the continuance of your Excellency’s health and most important life, I beg leave to subscribe with the highest respect, your Excellency’s most humble and most obedient servt.
Joseph Willard.
His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr.Catalogue of the Officers of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences elected August 31st 1780

The Honble James Bowdoin Esqr of Boston President

The Revd Samuel Cooper DD of Boston Vice President

Mr. Caleb Gannett Recording Secretary Cambridge

The Honble Thomas Cushing Esqr. Boston
}

The Honble Henry Gardner Esqr. Boston

The Honble John Hancock Esqr. Boston

The Revd Samuel Langdon DD Cambridge

John Lowell Esqr Boston
Counsellor

The Honble Robert Treat Payne Esqr Boston

The Revd Phillips Payson Chelsea

The Honble James Warren Esqr Plymouth

The Revd Ed: Wigglesworth Prof: Divinity Cambridge

The Revd Sam: Williams Prof Math: Cambridge

The Revd Joseph Willard Corresponding Secretary Beverly

Ebenezer Storer Esqr Treasurer Boston

Prof: Sewall Vice Treasurer Cambridge

Mr James Winthrop Cabinet Keeper Cambridge


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr.: Three Letters, 9 February 1781
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

I.
Dear & hond sir.
Nantes Feb. 9. 1781.
The Procureur du Roi of this Place seeing my Servant Mark Anthony passing the street took it into his Head to order him to Prison because he is black; He has been two Years with me and is well known by everybody in the Town, yet is to day taken up on an Edict of 1777, which forbids any Negroes from the French Islands to be brought into the Kingdom, & those that are brought in are ordered to be kept in Custody ‘till sent out. But Mark is a free subject of the United States and has as much right to protection as I have, he was born & baptized in my Fathers Family, & having lived with my Father ’till the Age of twenty five he gave him a Certificate to insure him his Liberty in future, this Certificate mark shewd me on his Arrival & I translated it in french to have in Case of Need. I send you the Original & the Translation and I request you to reclaim him from the proper Minister, for which Purpose & to save you Trouble I have written a Letter the Direction of which I leave blank to be filled up as you think proper either to M. de Vergennes or M de Castries. If it is contrary to the Kings orders to permit a free american who is black to inhabit this Country I will give security to send mark out of the Kingdom in 6 months or as soon as I can, but the procureur du Roi threatens to send him to the West Indies & there have him sold as a slave. I hope Sir You will interest Yourself for this poor Fellow, for as we were in Infancy in the same Family I have more attachment to him than to any other Servant & should be very Sorry if he should lose his Liberty.
I am ever with the highest Respect most dutifully & affectionately Yours.
Jona Williams J
Please to return me Marks Certificate as it is very essential for him to have it. The procureur du Roi says he will send him off in 15 days.

Notation: J Williams Feb 9 1781

II.
Dear and hond sir.
Nantes Feb. 9. 1781.
The inclosed Letters I received this Day by the Brig Sally Capt Jenkins to my Address, this Vessell left Rhode Island on the 12 Jan. but brings no particular News, the English Fleet still lay in Gardiners Bay and the French were still at Rhode Island. I have not heard for some Time of Aunt Mecom. I hope your Letters will inform that she is well.
I am ever with the greatest Respect & Esteem yours most dutifully & affectionately
Jona Williams J
His Excelly Doctor Franklin

Notation: J Williams Feb 9. 1781

III.
Dear & hond Sir.
Nantes Feb. 9. 1781
This will be presented to you by Mr. Shaffer who is warmly reccommended to me by Mr. Morris of Philadelphia. His Stay will be probably short as after seeing the Capital he intends returning hither, but that it may be agreeable & advantageous I take the Liberty of introducing him to your Notice, & every mark of Civility shewn him will be considered an additional Obligation conferred on Your dutifull & affectionate Kinsman
Jona Williams J

Notation: J Williams Feby 9 1781 Recommendation of Shaffer


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Ferdinand Grand, 10 February 1781
From: Grand, Rodolphe-Ferdinand
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
Paris ce 10 fevr. 1781
J’ai lhonneur de vous renvoyer sous ce pli une traite du Loan office de 90 l.t. pour que vous aiez la bonté de l’accepter, lomission du nom de la Personne à qui la traite appartenoit n’est pas un Motif de refus suffisant.
Vous acceptez tous les Jours des traites dont les endossemens sont en blanc, ce qui revient au même; parceque rien n’est plus ordinaire dans le Commerce que de les remplir soi même dans lequel cas les Personnes sur qui les traites sont faites sont obligé d’accepter, ou ne scauroient donner d’autre raison pour le protest, que leffet est mal acquis ou faux, & le contraire etant prouvé on est contraint aux fraix d’Usage qui sont considerables en Amerique.
Jai lhonneur d’etre avec la plus haute Consideration Monsieur Votre très humble & très obeiss Servr.
Grand

Notations: End. J Passmone(?) [in margin of first sentence:]
No 1044


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Pieter Buyck, 11 February 1781
From: Buyck, Pieter
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Son Excellence
Gand 11. fevr. 1781
N’ayant Jamais eu L’honneur de Vous Ecrire, Je prends la Liberté de le faire dans ce moment pour Vous envoier cy inclus une lettre de Votre ami Monsr. Thomas White d’amsterdam avec qui Je fais des affaires & qui me mende d’avoir des fonds chez vous, Daignez me dire Par le retour du courier S:V:P: Si Je pourrois disposer Sur votre Excellence pour compte dudt. ami (:de qui Je vous ferai passer La permission:) a quel terme & Jusqu’a quelle Somme.
Mon Commerce S’Etend en toutes Sortes de toilleries qui se Vendent ici a present à bas Prix Si vous Voulussiez faire Speculation honnorez moi de Vos ordres Je me flate de Vous Servir mieux que Personne & Promptement.
Ou En outre Je pourrois Vous Etre de quelque utilité ayez La complaisance de disposer librement de Celui qui a L’honneur d’Etre tres respectueusement Votre tres he Serviteur
Pr: Buyck
Son Excellence

Addressed: A Son Excellence / Doctor franklyn / A Paris
Endorsed: Answer’d recd 14th and answer’d same day
Notation: Buyck, Gand 11. Fevr. 1781.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to David Barclay, 12 February 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Barclay, David Junior

Dear Sir,
Passy, 12 February 1781.
I condole with you most sincerely on the loss of our dear friend Dr Fothergill. I hope that some one that knew him well, will do justice to his memory, by an account of his life and character. He was a great doer of good. How much might have been done, and how much mischief prevented, if his, your, and my joint endeavours, in a certain melancholy affair, had been attended to!!
With great respect and esteem, I am, &c.
B. Franklin.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 13 February 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, comte de

Sir
Passy Feby 13. 1781.
I have just received from Congress their Letter for the King, which I have the honour of putting herewith into the Hands of your Excellency.
I am charged at the same time to “represent in the strongest Terms, the unalterable Resolution of the United States to maintain their Liberties and Independence, and inviolably to adhere to the Alliance at every hazard and in every Event; And that the Misfortunes of the last Campaign, instead of repressing have redoubled their Ardour: That Congress are resolved to employ every Resource in their Power to expel the Enemy from every Part of the United States, by the most vigorous and decisive Cooperation with the Marine and other Forces of their illustrious Ally; That they have accordingly, called on the several States for a powerful Army and ample Supplies of Provisions and the States are disposed effectually to comply with their Requisitions. That if in Aid of their own Exertions, the Court of France can be prevailed on to assume a Naval Superiority in the American Seas; to furnish the Arms, Ammunition and Cloathing specified in the Estimate heretofore transmitted, and to assist with the Loan mentioned in the Letter, they flatter themselves, that under the Divine Blessing, the War must speedily be terminated with Glory and Advantage to both Nations.”
By several Letters to me from intelligent Persons, it appears that the great and Expensive Exertions of the last Year, by which a Force was assembled capable of facing the Enemy, and which accordingly drew towards New York and lay long near that City, was render’d ineffectual by the Superiority of the Enemy at Sea; and that their Success in Carolina had been chiefly owing to that Superiority, and to the Want of the necessary Means for furnishing, marching, and paying the Expence of Troops sufficient to defend that Province.
The Marquis de la Fayette writes to me, that it is impossible to conceive without seeing it, the Distress the Troops have suffer’d for want of Cloathing; and the following is a Paragraph of a Letter from Geral Washington, which I ought not to keep back from your Excellency, viz:
“I doubt not you are so fully informed by Congress of our political and Military State, that it would be superfluous to trouble you with any thing relative to either. If I were to speak on Topicks of the kind, it would [be] to shew, that our present Situation makes one of two Things essential to us—a Peace—or the most vigorous Aid of our Allies, particularly in the Article of Money. Of their Disposition to serve us we cannot doubt: Their Generosity will do every thing their Means will permit.”

They had in America great Expectations, I know not on what Foundation, that a considerable Supp[ly] of Money would be obtained from Spain but that Expectation has failed: And [the] Force of that Nation in those Seas, has been employed to reduce small Forts in Florida, without rendering any direct Assistance to the United States: And indeed the long delay of that Court in acceding to the Treaty of Commerce, begins to have the Appearance of its not inclining to have any Connection with us; so that for effectual Friendship, and for the Aid so necessary in the present Conjuncture, we can rely on France alone, and in the continuance of the King’s Goodness towards us.
I am grown old. I feel myself much enfeebled by my late long Illness; and it is probable I shall not long have any more Concern in these Affairs. I therefore take this Occasion to express my Opinion to your Excellency, that the present Conjuncture is critical; that there is some Danger lest the Congress should lose its Influence over the People, if it is found unable to procure the Aids that are wanted; and that the whole System of the new Government in America may thereby be shaken. That if the English are suffer’d once to recover that Country, such an Opportunity of effectual Separation as the present, may not occur again in the Course of Ages; and that the Possession of those fertile and extensive Regions, and that vast Sea Coast, will afford them so broad a Basis for future Greatness, by the rapid Growth of their Commerce: and Breed of Seamen and Soldier, as will enable them to become the Terror of Europe, and to exercise with Impunity that Insolence which is so natural to their Nation, and which will increase enormously with the Increase of their Power.
I am with great Respect, Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant
B Franklin
His Exy the Ct. De Vergennes.

Endorsed: Rec. le 15. fever. 1781 M. de R. faire traduire
Notation: lettre ci-jointe du congrès au Roi pour lui demander des Secours


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Gourlade & Moylan, 14 February 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Gourlade & Moylan

Gentlemen,
Passy, Feby. 14. 1781.
I received the Letter you honoured me with of the   Instant, relating to the Arms left by Capt. Jones. They are to be shipt on board the Marquis de la Fayette; and it may be done as soon as she arrives, if Mr. Williams who has the Care of loading her, has not other Goods that he chuses should be placed lowest. I have the honour to be, with much Esteem, Gentlemen, Your most obedient & most humble Servant
(signed) B Franklin
Mrs. Gourlade & Moylan.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Howard, 14 February 1781
From: Howard, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir/
On Board of a prison Ship Security lying at ChatamFebruay. 14. 1781
I take this opportunity to aguaint you that there is Six american prisoners on Bord of this Ship that was taken in august last in a bad Condition and now are in a very misorable manner not fit for no Cristean to See us we are not allowed any Cloths nor money allowed us at all

Sir/ I hope it is in your power to assist us in a few Cloths I never new Before But what the americans was to Be Exchange with the french men we are used very Bad we are very Short of rations about half a pound of Beef and a pound of Black Bread they wont let us Speak to them if we ask them for Cloths the Commesairy will tell us our Congras dont allow us any thing.
I am your very Humble Servant
William Howard

N.B. Sir/ pleas to Send us an answer

Addressed: For Docter Francklin / American Anbassindor / in Paris / This
Notation: Haward Feby. 14. 1781.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 14 February 1781
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear & hond sir
Nantes Feb. 14. 1781
The Marquis de la Fayette is at length arrived at L’Orient & as soon as the Freight she brought round from Bordeaux is delivered she will begin to take in: All that depends on me is ready, & you may depend there will not be a moments Delay that I can prevent.—
I have written a Letter to the Minister which I inclose for your perusal, please to deliver it or not as you think proper, I thought it prudent to write in Time in order to have the advantage of a Convoy for Rhode Island. It will be well if you will send me your authority to engage american Seamen, because otherwise I apprehend American ships can prevent me if the Captains choose, indeed it is hard to see our Sailors entering into the French Service, some to go to the East Indies which much distresses the american Trade, & as we are prevented from taking Frenchmen both here & in America, it ought not to be suffered, this single Circumstance shows the Want of a Consul & I hope the arrival of Mr Palfrey will put all right.
I am ever most dutifully & affectionately yours
Jona Williams J
Dr Franklin.

Notation: J Williams Feb 14. 1781


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Adams, 15 February 1781
From: Adams, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Amsterdam Feb. 15. 1781
This Morning, the House of Botereau & Co. of this City, presented to me, Sixty Six Bills of Exchange drawn by Congress on the 26th day of October last, in favour of Nathaniel Tracy, of Newbury Port, amounting to the Sum of Ten Thousand Pounds sterling, payable at Ninety days Sight.—
I was obliged to ask the favour of the House, to wait untill I could write to your Excellency, to see if you can furnish the Funds to discharge these Bills.— Without your Warranty, they must be protested, for I have not yet obtained a Single Ducat, nor any certain assurance of one.
I have at length fixed my Plan, and when it shall be made certain that the War with England is to continue the Prospectus will be published and the Experiment tryed. Some Present think I shall get Some Money. But there is no Certainty of it.— If this People should make Peace with England which they will if they can, We Shall get no Money at all.— I think however that a Peace is impossible and therefore am not without hopes of borrowing Some Money.

I must request the Honour of your Excellencys answer by the Return of Post, because at that Time Mr Botereau will expect an answer from me.— With great Respect I have the Honour to be
Dr Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 15 February 1781
From: Brillon de Jouy, Anne-Louise Boivin d’Hardancourt
To: Franklin, Benjamin

ce jeudi 15 Fevrier [1781]
Vous n’estes point venu hier mon bon papa étiés vous incomodé? aviés vous affaire? ne m’aimiéz vous pas tant qu’a l’ordinaire? Je me suis téllement accoutumée a vous voir deux fois la semaine, que les jours ou vous ne venés pas me semblent rayés de mon éxistance, de cette éxistance qui ne m’est chére que par les douceurs de l’amitié; ce soir si vous n’aviés rien de mieux a faire; voulés vous, une tasse de thé, deux parties de dames et trois noëls; si jamais le ciél permest que je sois assés forte pour allér jusque chés vous, je vous promest de vous rendre vos bonnes visittes; jusqu’a ce moment ayés quélques pitiés d’une créature foible et languissante; dont l’áme vive, aimante, use sans césse la frésle machine déja fatiguée:/:
Apportés quelques jours dans votre poche mon petit conte, il y á une fautte que je veux corrigér; n’allés pas croire qu’il n’y en a qu’une, croyés seulement qu’il y en a une trop forte a suportér.

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / a Passy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Castries, 16 February 1781
From: Castries, Charles-Eugène-Gabriel de La Croix, marquis de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

A Versailles le 16 fevrier 1781.
Mr. De Sartine, Monsieur, par sa dépêche du 14 octobre 1779 à eu l’honneur de vous faire part de la reclamation de plusieurs marins qui n’ont point êté payés de leurs gages, et des parts qui leur reviennent dans les prises faites par le Corsaire le Revange sorti de Dunkerque sous le Commandement du Capitaine Cuningham. Vous avez pensé qu’on ne pouvoit prononcer sur la reclamation de ces marins que vous croyez avoir êté embarqués clandestinement, qu’au retour de Mrs. Dean et Lée interessés dans ce navire. Mr. De Sartine par une autre dépêche du 29 fevrier 1780. vous à observé que plusieurs de ces marins ayants êté compris dans le Rolle d’Equipage ils paroissoient fondés dans leurs reclamations, et que l’objection que vous lui avez faite ne pouvoit leur être appliquée. J’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer un nouveau memoire relatif à cette affaire, et je vous prie de vouloir bien me mettre à portée de faire une réponse satisfaisante.
J’ai l’honneur d’être avec la consideration la plus distinguée, Monsieur, votre trés humble et trés obeissant serviteur.
Castries
PrisesMr. franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Daniel Schweighauser, 17 February 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Schweighauser, Jean-Daniel

Passy, Feby. 17. 1781.
I received your Favour of the 8th. Inst. inclosing Letters from America & thank you for your Care in speedily forwarding them. I have since received another acquainting me with the Cargo of the Active, and desiring to know if you may draw on me for what may be wanting to compleat her Cargo back. I have also received a Letter from the Admiralty Board relating to farther Supplies, and am actually using my best Endeavours to obtain more Money for such Purposes; but the Success being yet a Contingency of which I am not Master, I cannot promise to answer your Bills.
The Stores formerly ordered, are now shipping on board the Marquis de la Fayette at L’Orient. But if any of the old Magazine Stores are still in your hands, it may be well to ship them in the Active.
Whith much Esteem I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient and M.h.S.
Mr. Schweighauser


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Louis Le Veillard fils, 19 February 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Le Veillard, Louis, fils

Sir
Passy, Feb. 19. 81
I am asham’d to desire your Care of so large a Pacquet. If you have not Room for it in your Baggage, please to return it by the Bearer. I inclose two Letters recommending you, and I wish you a good Journey. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant
B Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 19 February 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Schweighauser, Jean-Daniel

Sir,
Passy, Feb. 19. 1781
In reading over again your Favour of the * Inst, I perceive a Question which I did not before observe, and omitted to answer in mine of the 17th. viz. Whether I will pay your Disbursements for the Brigantine Active? You do not mention to what Sum they may probably amount; I have no Orders to make such Payments; and I daily expect Mr. Palfrey, who is coming over to be Consul General in France, and in whose Department such Affairs will naturally fall. I therefore decline engaging to pay such Disbursements. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant
B Franklin
Mr Schweighauser


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 19 February 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Williams, Jonathan Jr.

Dear Jonathan
Passy Feby. 19. 1781
I mentioned the other Day the Affair of your Man to M de Renneval at M de Vergennes’s who informed me that I should apply to M. de Castries. I did not meet with him, & Billy goes out to day expressly to obtain his Order for the Release of the poor Fellow, which M. de Renneval assur’d me would meet with no Difficulty. I hope you will receive it with this, as he can send it by the same Post from Versailles.
I hear the Ship is at L’Orient. Mr. Palfrey is coming out Consul General whereby I shall be eased of all Maratime Concerns.
I am yours &ca—
Mr. Williams


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Marquis de Boulainvilliers, 19 February 1781
From: Boulainvilliers, Anne-Gabriel-Henri Bernard, marquis de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Passy Le 19. fev. 1781
Le chr. Destours mari de Milady S. Georges demeurants a Dublin se trouve, Monsieur, dans La necessite de Venir a Paris pour Sa Santé. Come il Craindroit d’être pris dans Sa traversée pour se rendre En france. Je Vous Serois bien obligé de Luy donner un passeport pour quil puisse s’embarquer avec surete, et navoir rien a Craindre de La Part des Vaisseaux des etats unis de Lamerique. Je le Luy ferois passer sur Le champ Si vous avez, Monsieur la bonté de Le Luy accorder.
Receves Monsieur mes remerciements de La Part que vous aves prise au malheur affreux qui vient de nous accabler votre amitié Est caution que vous etes sensible à La douleur qui nous dechire Lame. Quoique nous ne Voyons Encore que les plus pres de notre famille, nous vous recevrons avec plaisir quand vous voudres nous donner quelques Instants. Receves Les assurances du parfait et Inviolable attachement avec Le quel Jay lhonneur detre Monsieur votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur
Le M De Boulainvillers
M. franklin Ministre plenipre. des etats unis de Lamerique

Notation: Boulainvilliers le M. Passy 19. Fevr. 1781.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jean de Neufville & fils, 19 February 1781
From: Neufville, Jean de, & fils
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honourd Sir
Amsterdam 19 Feby 1781
The reason of our addressing your Excellency is a letter we received by the way of England from Cape. Daniel McNeal dated St Lucia Decembr 24 advising us of his being captured & carried in there & begging us in consequence to inform your Excellency of it with his Supplication that She would be pleased not to accept or pay any bills of the loan treasury endorsed to his order unless they Should come through our hands; that the Ennemy might make no bad use of them. As Your Excellency was already oblidging anough to grant us Similar requests we flatter ourselves to be likewise indulged in this which we Shall esteem as a favour conferred on our Selves.
We this day opened by order of his Excellency Jn. Adams Esq & in his name a negotiation of one Million of Guilders in behalf of the United States the interest of which we Shall be happy to promote upon every occasion as much as it may lay in our power.
We have the honour to be with the greatest Veneration & respect Your Excellencys Most Obedient & very Humble Servts
John DE Neufville Son
His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esq Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of North America Passy