Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Mifflin, 12[–13] May 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Mifflin, Thomas

Sir,
Passy, May 12th.[—13] 1784

In my last I acquainted your Excellency that Mr. Hartley was soon expected here to exchange Ratifications of the definitive Treaty. He is now arrived, and proposes to make the Exchange this Afternoon: I shall then be enabled to send a Copy.—
Enclosed is the new British Proclamation respecting our Trade with their Colonies. It is said to be a temporary Provision till Parliament can assemble and make some proper regulating Law, or till a Commercial Treaty shall be framed and agreed to. Mr Hartley expects Instructions for planning with us such a Treaty. The Ministry are supposed to have been too busy with the new Elections when he left London, to think of those Matters.
This Court has not compleated its intended new System for the Trade of their Colonies, so that I cannot yet give a certain Acct of the Advantages that will in fine be allow’d us. At present it is said we are to have two Free-Ports, Tobago & the Mole; and that we may carry Lumber and all sorts of Provisions to the rest, except Flour, which is reserved in Favour of Bourdeaux;

and that we shall be permitted to export Coffee, Rum, Melasses and some Sugar for our own Consumption.
We have had under Consideration a Commercial Treaty proposed to us by the King of Prussia, and have sent it back with our Remarks to Mr Adams, who will I suppose transmit it immediately to Congress. Those plann’d with Denmark and Portugal wait its Determination.
Be pleased to present my dutiful Respects to the Congress, and believe me to be, with sincere and great Esteem Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servant.

B. Franklin
His Exy. T. Mifflin Esq.—


Title: Commission to Negotiate a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with Prussia, [12 May 1784]
From: Mifflin, Thomas
To:

[May 12, 1784]
The United States in Congress Assembled—

To all to whom these presents shall come or be made known Send Greeting—

Whereas an intercourse between the Subjects of His Prussian Majesty and the Citizens of the United States of America founded on the principles of equality, reciprocity and friendship may be of mutual advantage to both Nations. Now therefore Know Ye that we reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, prudence and ability of our trusty and beloved the honorable John Adams late one of our ministers plenipotentiary for negotiating a peace and heretofore a Delegate in Congress from the State of Massachusetts and Chief Justice of the said State—the honorable Doctor Benjamin Franklin our minister plenipotentiary at the Court of Versailles and late another of our ministers plenipotentiary for negotiating a peace and the honorable Thomas Jefferson a delegate in Congress from the State of Virginia and late Governor of the said State have nominated, constituted and appointed and by these presents do nominate, constitute and appoint them the said John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson our ministers plenipotentiary giving to them or the majority of them full power and authority for us and in our name to confer, treat and negotiate with the Ambassador, Minister or Commissioner of his said Prussian Majesty vested with full and sufficient powers of and concerning a Treaty of Amity and Commerce to make and receive propositions for such Treaty and to conclude and sign the same, transmitting it to the United States in Congress Assembled for their final ratification. This Commission to continue in force for a term not exceeding two years from the date hereof—
In Testimony whereof we have caused the Seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed Witness His Excellency Thomas Mifflin president this twelfth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four and of the Sovereignty & Independence of the United States of America the Eighth.

Thomas MifflinChas Thomson secy.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Morel Dufaux, 12 May 1784
From: Morel Dufaux, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Paris 12th May, [1784]hotel des Prouvairs rue des Prouvairs
Honourable Sir.

If real Services rendered to the Subjects of the united States in the most Critical times when no Soul durst to Employ himself for, fearing blame, can Entitle to Claim of the protection of your Excellency, I flatter I have an undoubtfull right to it. Those Important Services I have already mentioned in a memoir I had presented to your Excellency but having thought it more usefull for me to State them myself, I supposed my Coming to Paris was the real way to pay you my respects. Shall Esteem myself happy your Excellency wou’d permit me to be introduced by M Grand who at all times has honoured my family with his much Esteemed friendship.
I am with Respect, of your Excellency the most humble & most obedient Servant

Morel Dufauxof Dunkirk
His Excellency Benjamin franklin Esqr Passy

Notation: Morel Dufaux 12 May


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John and Sarah Jay, 13 May 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Jay, John,Jay, Sarah

Passy May 13. 1784

My dear Friends, I find I shall not be able to see you again as I intended. My best Wishes however go with you, that you may have a prosperous Voyage and a happy sight of your Friends and Families.

Mr. Jay was so kind as to offer his Friendly Services to me in America. He will oblige me much by endeavouring to forward my discharge from this Employment. Repose is now my only Ambition. If too he should think with me, that my Grandson is qualified to serve the States as Secretary to a future Minister at this Court or as Chargé des Affaires, and will be kind enough to recommend such an appointment, it will exceedingly oblige me. I have twice mentioned this in my letter to Congress, but have not been favored with any Answer; which is hard, because the suspense prevents my endeavouring to promote him in some other way. I would not however be importunate; and therefore if Mr. Jay should use his Interest without Effect, I will trouble them no more on the subject. My Grandson’s acquaintance with the Language, with the Court and Customs here, and the particular Regard M. de Vergennes has for him, are Circumstances in his favor.
God bless and protect you both. Embrace my little Friend for me, and believe me ever yours &ca

B Franklin


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Laurens: Extract, 13 May 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Laurens, Henry

Passy May 13. 1784.

—I am sorry for the numerous Disappointments you have lately met with. The World it’s true is full of Disappointments, but

they are not equally divided, and you have had more than your share.
The Ratifications of the definitive Treaty are now exchang’d; but Mr. Hartley waits for Instructions respecting a Treaty of Commerce, which from what you observe, may probably never arrive. I shall however be glad to receive what you are so good as to promise me, your Thoughts on the Subject of such a Treaty.
You have been so kind as to offer me your friendly services in America. You will oblige me greatly in forwarding my Dismission from this Employment, for I long much to be at home: And if you should think my Grandson qualified to serve the States as Secretary to my Successor, or Chargé des Affaires ’till a Successor arrives, I shall thank You for recommending him. His Knowledge of this Court, and Acquaintance with the Language; and the Esteem the Minister has for him, are Circumstances in his favor: his long Experience in the Business here is another, he having served an Apprenticeship to it for more than seven Years. His Intelligence, Discretion & Address, you can judge better of than myself, who may be partial. His Fidelity & Exactitude in performing his Duty, I can answer for.
My best Wishes attend you, your very valuable Son, and amiable Daughter. God bless you all, and give you a good Voyage, and a happy Meeting with your Friends, with long Life, Health & Prosperity, is the sincere Prayer of Your affectionate, humble servant

B. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 13 May 1784
From: Hartley, David
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Dear friend
Paris May 13 1784 7 o’clock morning

I shd be much obliged to you if you cd send me two or three words this evening after you have seen the Minister viz only thus much He can or He can not, because as the time advances to the meeting of Parlt., It wd be necessary for me to send the

first part to England by our Courier early tomorrow morning if the printer cannot do the business here. I shall be employed the whole of this day & tomorrow morning, in writing my letters, & in transcribing the first part of the Address. I wd rather receive two words from you than three But if three I must lose no time in England. Yours ever

D H—

Addressed: To Dr Franklin &c &c &c / Passy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Poissonnier, [before 14 May 1784]
From: Poissonnier, Pierre-Isaac
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[before May 14, 1784]

M Poissonnier a l’honneur de présenter son Respect à Monsieur Franklin et de lui Rappeller qu’il a promis de Vouloir bien signer le rapport des Commissaires de la Société Royale de Medécine, Sur les Bains de Mr Albert. En Conséquence il a l’honneur de lui envoier ce Rapport que M Albert aura celui de lui présenter lui même, avec la Copie de ce même Rapport, afin que Monsieur franklin puisse en faire plus aisement la lecture, S’il juge à propos d’en prendre Connaissance.

Notation: Poissonier.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Franz Anton Mesmer, [14 May 1784]
From: Mesmer, Franz Anton
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Mr.
[May 14, 1784]

Vous êtes à la tête des Commissaires que le Gouvernement a envoyés chez M. D’Eslon pour obtenir la révélation de ma découverte, et en constater l’efficacité.
Quand Mr. d’Elon S’est approché auprès de moi et quand J’ai jugé à propos de lui laisser entrevoir quelques parties du Système de mes connoissances, J’ai exigé de lui Sa parole d’honneur, qu’il ne rendroit jamais public, sans en avoir auparavant obtenu mon aveu, le petit nombre d’idées nouvelles que je pourrois lui confier.
M. d’Eslon a depuis Souscrit un acte par lequel il reconnoît que le Magnétisme animal est ma propriété et qu’en disposer Sans mon consentement, c’est se rendre coupable d’un délit aussi odieux que punissable.

Cependant au mépris de ses Sermens et de l’acte qu’il a Souscrit, M. d’Eslon a non Seulement osé disposer de ma propriété pour lui même; mais il a trouvé des hommes qui n’ont pas craint de partager avec lui mes dépouilles. Trente Six Médecins, à ce qu’on m’assure, Sont venus chercher auprès de lui un Systême de connoissances sur lequel il doit se taire, et qu’il ne peut leur révéler Sans manquer aux loix de l’honneur.
Mr. d’Eslon a plus fait, il a osé demander au Gouvernement des Commissaires pour faire constater chez lui, une découverte qui n’est pas à lui, une découverte qu’il a dérobée a celui qui en est l’inventeur, et dont, quoiqu’on en dise, il ne peut faire qu’un usage condamnable.
Le Gouvernement a crû Surement, que M. d’Eslon est l’auteur de la découverte du Magnétisme animal, et qu’il possède le Systême de connoissances qui y est relatif dans toute son étendue.
Les Commissaires que le Gouvernement a choisis pour aller se faire instruire chez M. d’Eslon dans la Science du magnétisme animal, ont Surement crû la meme chose.
Car je ne dois pas présumer, et je ne présume pas que si le Gouvernement et les commissaires qu’il a choisis, avoient pensé que le Magnétisme animal est dans les mains de M. deslon, une chose dérobée, et une chose qu’il ne possède que d’une manière absolument imparfaite; ils eussent pû se résoudre à l’Ecouter, il n’est pas dans les principes du Gouvernement de légitimer un attentat contre la propriété, et il n’est aucun des Commissaires Sur lesquels il a jetté les yeux qui veuille se rendre complice d’une perfidie. De plus le Gouvernement et les Commissaires auroient surement compris qu’en faisant au public le rapport de ce qui leur auroit été Enseigné, ou de ce qu’ils auroient vû chez M. Deslon, ils se mettroient dans le cas de faire ou un faux rapport, ou un rapport incomplet, et ils se seroient abstenus

d’une démarche qui nécessairement doit les exposer à quelque Bláme.
Il faut donc, Monsieur, que je vous apprenne, et que par vous, J’apprenne à tous les Commissaires, que le Gouvernement a nommés, ce que c’est que M. d’Eslon, de quel abus de confiance il s’est rendu coupable envers moì, Et combien sont foibles et imparfaites les connoissances qu’il m’a dérobées; Il faut que je vous l’apprenne, car il est de mon intérêt qu’on ne me juge pas d’après ce que M. d’Eslon pourroit dire; parcequ’encore je dois démasquer cet homme menteur, et qu’étant devenu l’objet public de ses calomnies, après avoir été trahi par lui de la manière la plus odieuse, Je ne veux pas qu’il dispose de la destinée d’une doctrine qui est à moi, dont moi Seul, J’ose le dire, Je connois l’importance et l’étendue, et dont le développement fait avec imprudence, peut étre aussi dangereux qu’il Sera bienfaisant si l’on veut enfin m’entendre.
En Conséquence, Monsieur, Je vous prie de lire avec la plus grande attention le mémoire que je joins à cette Lettre; vous y apprendrez une partie des délits que J’impute à M. d’Eslon, et vous ne tarderez pas à connôitre combien peuvent devenir embarassantes pour le Gouvernement et pour vous, les relations que dans le dessein Seulement de me nuire, il a trouvé l’art d’établir entre le Gouvernement et vous d’une part, et entre lui et ses correspondans de l’autre.

Ce mémoire devoit être imprimé dans le courant du mois de Janvier dernier, et devenir la première pièce d’un procès que je me proposois d’intenter à M. d’Eslon, ne pouvant parvenir à lui faire rendre un compte public de sa conduite, et à me justifier des imputations calomnieuses dont il a osé m’accabler. Le procès n’a pas été entrepris parcequ’on m’en a détourné parcequ’on m’a persuadé que le moment viendroit, où la vérité reprendroit son empire, et où tout naturellement M. D’eslon seroit placé dans la classe de ces hommes qui se trouvent toujours à coté de ceux qui ont fait de grandes choses, pour leur dérober, S’il Se peut, la gloire qui leur appartient, et mettre à profit leurs Succès.
Le Memoire, que je vous envoye a été déposé chez un notaire de Paris, il est également déposé chez un homme public à Londres, et Je viens d’en envoyer une copie à Vienne. J’espère que cette dernière sera remise incessamment aux mains de l’Empereur.
Ma découverte interesse toutes les nations, et c’est pour toutes les nations que je veux faire et mon histoire et mon apologie. On peut donc ici, comme on l’a fait Ju’squa présent Etouffer ma voix, on ne fera que rendre ailleurs ma reclamation et plus imposante et plus terrible.
Je suis, comme vous, Monsieur, au nombre de ces hommes qu’on ne peut opprimer sans danger, au nombre de ces hommes qui, parcequ’ils ont fait de grandes choses, disposent de la honte, comme les hommes puissans disposent de l’autorité quoiqu’on ose tenter, Mr, Comme vous, J’ai le monde pour Juge; et si l’on peut oublier le bien que j’ai fait, et empecher le bien que je veux faire, J’aurai la postérité pour vengeur.
Je Suis &c.

Copie de la Lettre adressée à M. franklin par M. Mesmer le 14. may 1784.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph-Mathias Gérard de Rayneval, 15 May 1784
From: Gérard de Rayneval, Joseph-Mathias
To: Franklin, Benjamin

A Versailles le 15. mai 1784

Cette lettre, Monsieur, vous sera remise par m. de chateaufort, qui se rendra incessament en amerique en qualité de notre Consul général à Charlestown, c’est le même par qui vous aviéz bien voulu m’envoyer une letre pour M. le Dr. Price. M. de Chateaufort a desiré d’être connu de vous, et je l’ai assûré que vous lui feriez accueil. J’y serai personnellement on ne peut pas plus sensible, etant depuis bien longtems attaché a M. de chateaufort. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec un très Sincère attachement, Monsieur, votre trés humble et tres-obeissant Serviteur

de Rayneval

Notation: De Rayneval 15 May 1784


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [17 May 1784]
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My dear Sir
Paris Monday Evening [May 17, 1784]

In Case the Arret for our free ports Has not Yet Come to Your Excellency’s Hands, I Have the Honour to Send You one Which I Have just Now Got— Most Respectfully and Affectionately Yours

Lafayette


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Sears & Smith, 18 May 1784
From: Sears & Smith
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir.
New York May 18th. 1784

We beg leave to address your Excellency upon a piece of Business, we have by accident become engag’d in, & to ask your Interest to get redress from the Court of France, if it is practicable.—
The last Summer we engag’d in a Voyage to the Coast of Africa, in full Expectation that we could effect it by bartering away the Cargo we sent there, for Gold Dust, Ivory, & Wax, but contrary to our Expectations those Articles could not be had, & the Captn: of our Vessel took a Cargo of Slaves, which he carried to Martinico, where they are landed & will be sold. We beg leave to inclose you our Friend Mr: Mounirou’s Letter to us on the Occasion; from which you will find the Revenue Officers of Martinique are contemplating to make us pay a heavy Duty upon the Slaves, & we cannot find from the Enquiry we have made of some French Gentln. now here from Martinique, that such a Duty has ever been paid at that Island by any Americans, & from our Friends Letter, the Governor of Martinique is not clear that the Duty ought to be paid, however we imagine it will be stopd untill a Representation is made to France, & we take the Liberty of begging your Influence (which we know to

be very great) in getting the Affair settled so as to prevent our paying so heavy a Duty—
We are sensible this is asking a very great favor, but from your Excellency’s Character, we make no doubt you will excuse the freedom we take, & that you will get us redress if it be possible—
That you may long live & enjoy every happyness is the Sincere wish of—Your Excellencys Most Obt. very humble Servts.

Sears & Smith

P.S. The Vessel that has perform’d the above mentiond Voyage, is the Ship Firebrand, Phœnix Frazer Master, who took Slaves directly from the Coast of Guinea to St. Pierres Martinique

Duplicate
His Excellency Benjn. Franklin Esq

Addressed: His Excellency B Franklin Esq / Philadelphia


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, 18 May 1784
From: Todd, Anthony
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir,
General Post Office May 18th: 1784.

I received the favour of your Letter of the 15th. past by the Hands of Col: Harmar, who appears to be an inteligent, amiable Man, and I am only sorry his short stay here would not allow me to shew him all the Attention I could have wished, and that he really seems to merit.
I have also been favoured with your Letter of the 3rd: Instant, mentioning the Proposal from Mr: de Couteulx for the Exchange of Letters which come to France for England, and to

England for France by the Packet Boats of the respective Countries at some settled rate of Postage. A Proposal of the same kind has been received from the Baron D’Ogny in a Letter of the 30th. past, to which I beg leave to send you a Copy of my Answer for your fuller Information, and hope you will both be satisfied that the only way to avoid Complication and Difficulty will be to abide by the Regulations proposed in the Advertisement which I submitted to your Consideration the 9th: of April, and therefore the sooner it is published in America the better, which will render any Articles in the Treaty with France in relation to the Correspondence with the United States unnecessary.
I feel myself exceedingly obliged to you for the Offer of your Services in that Business as well as your friendly Wishes to see me in Paris, but there are now so very few Articles to adjust and those of no great Consequence, that I expect when we have received the Project from the Baron D’Ogny, there will be no occasion to send any person to France, but that the whole may be finally settled with very little Difficulty.

As you seem to think your Opinion will not have much Weight with Mr Hazard The PostMaster General of North America, I have submitted to this Board the Advertisement I inclosed to you on the 20th. past for receiving the Packet as well as the Inland Postage quite to New York on all Letters for America before they are forwarded, when it was thought advisable to publish it immediately, in order to remove all Difficulties and render it unnecessary to keep Accounts between the two Countries.
I am, Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant.

Anth Todd Secy
His Excellency Dr: Franklin Paris.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Webb, 18 May 1784
From: Webb, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir,
Geneva May 18th: 1784

I received the Favour of your Letter of 22d. past last Saturday Afternoon only. By some Accident the superiour pleasure I had on Its arrival was defer’d so much longer than your Goodness intended It should. I am indeed more obliged to you than I can express. The material Services It renders Me are exceedingly enchanced by your ingenious & generous Condition. It suits precisely my own Feelings—for ’tho, I am from Necessity begging of all the World—in my own Mind I esteem every Shilling I receive in this way, as Loans. Sacred as if bound by every Tye that Laws have invented to make Men honest. Should I ever be able I have no more Idea of dying, without being first out of debt, than I have of the destruction of my own Ofspring, and

of Course the List of those who have preserved my Charles and me from Starving must be early refer’d to. The last contracted Debts must be first discharged.
I have looked forward to such a possible Ability as productive of a Satisfaction that could admit of no Increase. But It belongs to you Sir, & you only I beleive, to have thought of entailing an additional Joy as the Sure produce of that happy period. Should It ever arrive I shall also avail myself of so valuable a hint to dispose, of what may be absolutely refused me, to return. In that Case I have now a Remedy. Any other appropriation of such property would be a sort of Sacrilege. But this is an Aerial Fabrick—At my Time of Life highly improbable. By the active Malice of my declared Enemies, and the indolent Attempts of some professed Friends I have been robbed of all power to attempt anything beneficial to myself or Family. I have been Kept in a State of teazing Suspence, without their having advanced One Step; as I can find. The difficulty with but One, was from the beginning, and Time has rivited that old Gentleman’s prejudices against me very naturally, when he is taught to beleive that I am rioting in the Enjoyment of his basely secreted Property, instead of having the utmost difficulty to live, and that intirely by the Bounty of Others. We will hope the Memorial will have Its Uses, not only as It regards present Subsistance, but future. That the Light of Truth will chase away those Mists of Error & prejudice that have so long obscured my real Character.
I have heard three times from Mr pigott at paris. His last Letter surprized me when It informed me that the following day he should set out for London. And, his first Letter grieved me, to learn that having paid you a Visit, he was sorry to find you unwell.— And that from Circumstances It was imagined It might be the Stone or Gravel. It directly occur’d to me what I shall now take the Liberty of detaining you a little longer with. To relate the Cases of two persons in England who found the greatest releif from the most Simple Remedies possible. I have an Idea that you Knew one, if not both the parties. Mr. Horne who I think you must have seen in the Family of Messrs. Browns & Colleson at

Clapham, had been many years afflicted with the Gravel, so that he could not walk without much pain. He had tried a variety of Remedies, at last a Relation who often Swerved from the beaten path in his profession, as a physician—a very honest Man—told him, invariably to remember at his Meals to drink a good draught (of his usual diluting Liquor) before he ate anything Solid. He did so—soon found Benefit and always continued It—without being ever more troubled with this Complaint to his Live’s end. He died at an advanced Age. The Other Instance—Mr Bullock of Brixton Causeway near Clapham was for a long Time tortured with the Stone, and after trying every Remedy found Releif & Cure indeed only from drinking half a Glass of Water on going to bed, & the other half on rising in the Morning.
These two Instances fell so within my own Knowledge & the Remedies so intirely Simple, tempted me to recite them, tho I feel how impossible almost but you must have heard them recommended before.
I am with the highest Respect & Gratitude & the warmest Wishes for the Restoration of health & Continuance of your Life, Dear sir Yr: Most obliged & obedt: hble Servant

B: Webb.

I hope your Grandson is perfectly Well. It will be one of my pleasures on mr pigott’s return to hear It from his Mouth.—

Addressed: To / The Honble: B. Franklin Esqr. / at Passy / near Paris.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [20 May 1784]
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My dear Sir
Versailles thursday Morning [May 20, 1784]

I intended Having this day the pleasure to See You, But am obliged to Stay Here for the Queen’s Concert, and Will do Myself the Honour to Call Upon You to Morrow Morning— Then I will lay Before You a letter I Have Received from mr. de Calonne— I am glad to Hear the Washington is Soon Expected, and Hope we May Get intelligences Before My departure which is fixed on the 12th of june.
There is an other point Upon Which I Beg leave to Offer my Opinion, and Since, on the Opposite Side, Under Government Banners, I perceive a Respected Veteran, to Whom I Have Had the Honour to Be a fellow Soldier, I Beat A parley and am Sure He Will like My proposition— That Mesmer is the true preacher of Magnetism Animal, to Which By the Way He Has Been Much Helped By Your electric discoveries, is a truth which No Body will deny— That deslon Has treacherously Broken His faith, trampled Upon the Most Sacred Engagements is no More disputable— That While Mesmer Intended Acquiring a

great glory and a great fortune, He Has not Been Such a fool as to Impart His Whole System to One Man who Might Claim a share in the Honour and profit is also pretty Clear— That Baron de Breteuil, out of a private picque to Mesmer, Has Sent to deslon, in order to know Mesmer’s doctrine Which does not Exist, and thus what May Be known of the doctrine will Be Either Betraied By deslon, or Stolen out By private Spies, are also pretty clear to Every Mind.
Now, My dear Sir, instead of Helping to those Transactions, don’t You think the Commissaries, to Whom the World Considers you as a president, Had Better Report
that What they Have Seen Gives them the idea of a Great discovery, But that Mesmer Being the Author of it, He is the Fountain Head to Which You Must Apply— That Sciences and Letters are frighted a way By the Hand of despotism— But that, in order to Come to the Whole truth, Commissaries Must plainly, and Oppenly Go to mr. Mesmer, and in the Same way as other people do, Be Regularly let By Him into His whole System.
Upon that I Have not Spoken to Mesmer— But I would Be Sorry to See a traitor triumph over an Honest man—and I am Sure You May Give a Good turn to the Affair— I was very Happy in Admitting Your Grand Son into our Society.
Most affectionately and Respectfully Yours

Lafayette

Notation: La Fayette


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Collinson, 22 May 1784
From: Collinson, Thomas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My dear Friend
Southgate. May. 22.d. 1784

The Bearer of this Mr Thos Hill, a Gentleman with whom I have the pleasure of being intimately acquainted; visting the Continent from motives of Curiosity, and a laudable desire of extending useful Knowledge; I have requested that he will oblige me; by the transmission of my most respectful Regards to you; & personally to enquire after your Welfare and Health; as such I therefore hope he may fortunately find you for a few moments in some measure disengaged from the many important Affairs you sustain,—so that I may have the Pleasure of receiving the agreeable Information from his Letter, that you are well and happy—
Monday last I dined with our Friends at the George and Vulture— Your old Friend Mr Mitchel was there— We conversed together about you, and most cordially wish’d for your Presence. He has just finish’d the great Speculum, that has cost him so many years Labour; but has been so much indisposed as to prevent his Trials of it by Night; tho he seems to be satisfied, that his Labour has not been in vain, by what he has seen by it in the Day— Herschel also I hear intends to cast his 4 feet Speculum this Summer—
I beg you will believe me to remain with the utmost Respect yr affectionate Friend

Thos Collinson


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Vicq d’Azyr, 24 May 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Vicq d’Azyr, Félix

à Passy ce 24 Mai 1784.—

M. Franklin a l’honneur de faire mille Complimens à Monsieur Vicq-d’azir, et le prie de vouloir bien lui envoyer le Rapport de Messrs. Andry et Thouret sur les Aimans présentés par

Mr. L’abbé le Noble, il lui en sera infiniment obligé. Il desireroit aussi savoir si la Société Royale continue toujours à faire imprimer chaque Année la Collection de ses mémoires, qu’il n’a point reçue depuis l’Année 1778.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Hopkinson, 24 May 1784
From: Hopkinson, Francis
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Friend.
Philada. 24th. May 1784—

I cannot suffer so good an Opportunity to pass without renewing my Assurances of the Love & Respect I have for you— mine & my Father’s steady Friend. It is indeed long since I have written to you, & much longer since I have received a Letter from you— Your more serious & important Avocations are doubtless the Occasion of both— I am unwilling to intrude upon your Time, & you are too much engaged in the embarassing & vexatious Duties of a public Station & political Character to amuse yourself with Letters of mere Friendship & private Concern.

I have long look’d for the additional Volumes of the new french Encyclodpædia— You have forwarded 3 Viz the first Vols. of Jurisprudence, Natural History & Mechanics; but I am told, there are several more published— I requested in my last that you would tell me in what Manner I should pay my Subscription to this Work; informing that it would be more easy for me to pay in Portions as the Work proceeded than it might be to furnish the full Amount at once.
I have industriously applied myself to raise from a State of Lethargy, our philosophical Society, in this I have been assisted by the steady Abilities of Mr. Rittenhouse & the sanguine Vivacity of Mr. Vaughan (whom you know)— To this End I delivered a Speach to the Society last Winter—the purport of which was to rouse their Attention to the Objects of their Institution, & to encourage a Pursuit of experimental Philosophy, by removing what I believe to be a great Obstacle, especially in this Country vizt: an Idea that none but Men of profound Learning & scholastic Education ought to meddle with Pursuits of this kind—& this I did by asserting that many of the most important Discoveries had been made by Men who had not liberal Educations, but were led to the Discovery of Truth

by a careful Attention to Facts, & a steady Investigation of the Phœnomena of Nature— I asserted that the Book of nature was the Book of Knowledge; that it was open to all—that it was not written in Latin, Greek or Hebrew—but in a Language intelligible to every one who would take the Pains to read & observe—&a &a. This gave Offence to some of the learned Faculty, who think it impossible to attain Wisdom but by Means of Grammar Rules, a System of Logic & the whole visionary Fabric of Metaphysics— I, perhaps, carried my Doctrine a little to far; but it was with a View to encourage those who had not the means of a learned Education, to become useful by experimental Enquiries.— I would send you a Copy of this Speach, if I thought it worth your Attention— It had, however, some good Effect.—
I have long thought that a great Reform is wanting in the Education of Youth— Too much of the ancient Superstitions of the Schools remain— A great deal of precious Time is spent in forcing upon young Minds logical & metaphysical Subtleties—which can never afterwards be applied to any possible Use in Life—whilst the practical Branches of Knowledge, are either slightly glanced over, or totally neglected— Even the learned Languages are, in my Opinion, taught by a wrong Method— The Grammar should be the last Book put into the Learner’s Hands— No Language is built upon it’s Grammar, but the Grammar is deduced from the Language— Elegance of Style in speaking or Writing can never be acquired by Rules— Conversing with Men of a polish’d Conversation & reading Books of approved Composition will insensibly lead the Ear & the Eye to an accurate Judgment of Propriety of Diction, & the Scholar will with great Facility acquire a Taste for Elegance, which no System of Rudiments can ever inculcate— More of our Knowledge is acquired by Habit than we are aware of— We attribute too much to the Understanding— As to the Translation of Latin Words into English a Vocabulary or Dictionary is

the only possible Resource: but the due Arrangement of these Words so as to make them elegantly expressive, this is more easily attained by the Ear than by any other Method— After the Scholar has made himself well acquainted with the Use of Latin Words, that is, can tell the English of any Latin Word that occurs, I would wish that the Teacher, not a common School-Master, but a Gentleman of refined Taste should continually read to him out of the most approved Authors, & cause the Pupil to make little Essays of his own.— My Objection to Grammar is that it’s Rules are not founded in Nature— In a living Language they are ever fluctuating— General Custom makes Propriety—& even in Languages called dead & therefore fixed, the Rules of Grammar are necessarily encumber’d with so many Exceptions, that in many Instances it is immaterial whether we take the Exceptions to the Rule or the Rule itself for the Standard. But the learning a Language by means of a Grammar is not only insufficient to inculcate it’s Force & it’s Elegancies; but is a Bar to the Acquirement— We seldom see common School-masters, those Haberdashers of Moods & Tenses, possess’d of the least Feeling or Taste for the Authors they teach, much less are they able to write with Urbanity in the Language they profess— What would Virgil think could he hear his beautiful Poem fritter’d into it’s grammatical component Parts in one of our Schools:— How would Horace swear to hear one of his Odes parsed (as it is called) by Mood & Tense— All the Spirit of Elegance must evapourate under such an Operation— But I have inadvertently fallen upon a Subject that would require long Discussion & Argument to set in a proper Light— Let us leave it—
I enclose for your Amusement a pettit Piece which I published with a View of having our Streets better attended to— They had been much neglected since the War, & of Course became shamefully dirty— My Performance fully answer’d my

Intention, & above 100 Scavengers were employed in two or three days after it’s Appearance—& our Streets are now kept tolerably clean— I will also (if I can get it) enclose another Squib in which I have endeavoured to ridicule false Learning—but no great Effect is to [be] expected from it, as rooted Prejudices are not so easily shaken.
We have been diverting ourselves with raising Paper Balloons by Means of burnt Straw to the great Astonishment of the Populace— This Discovery, like Electricity, Magnetism & many other important Phænomena, serve for Amusement at first— It’s Uses & Applications will hereafter unfold themselves. There may be many mechanical Means of giving the Balloon a progressive Motion, other than what the current of Wind would give it— Perhaps this is as simple as any—let the Balloon be constructed of an oblong Form, something like the Body of a Fish, or a Bird, or a Wherry—& let there be a large & light Wheel in the Stern, vertically mounted— This Wheel should consist of several Vanes or Fans of Canvas, whose Plains should be considerably inclined with respect to the Plain of it’s Motion, exactly like the Wheel of a Smoak-Jack— If the navigator turns this wheel swiftly round, by means of a Winch, there is no Doubt but it would (in a Calm at least) give the Machine a progressive Motion, upon the same Principle that a Boat is scull’d thro’ the Water— But my Paper is almost out—& perhaps your Patience— If you can spare Time, let me know that I live in your Remembrance— Any philosophical Communications will highly gratify me—& be thankfully received by our Society, who expect their President will now & then favour them with his Notice.
Are we to hope that you will revisit your native Country or not?—that Country for which you have done & suffered so much— Whilst there is any Virtue left in America the Names Franklin & Washington will be held in the highest Esteem.—

Adieu & be assured there is no one loves you more than Your faithful & affectionate

Fras. Hopkinson
Dr. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Hunter, 27 May 1784
From: Hunter, Henry
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Hotel de Russie, Rüe de RichlieuThursday May 27th. 1784

Dr. Hunter presents his Respects to Dr. Franklin. He this morning forwarded a Packet addressed to Mr Jay from Dr

Witherpoon who is now at London; but is this moment informed that Mr Jay is departed for America. He is apprehensive, from a Note brought him by his Servant from Passy, that the Packet from London will be dispatched after Mr Jay, unopened; & he is well assured it contains papers of importance to Dr Witherspoon to be used at Paris. It will therefore be necessary that the Gentleman who transacts Mr Jay’s business should open the Packet, & act upon the information it contains.
If Dr Franklin has any thing to forward to Dr. Witherspoon, Dr. H. will be happy to carry his Commands: he sets out for England, by Way of Flanders & Holland on Monday next.—

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur le Doct. Franklin / a Passy
Notation: Dr. Hunter May 27, 1784.—


Title: Franklin and Chaumont: Agreement on Accounts and Receipt, [28 May 1784]
From: Franklin, Benjamin,Chaumont, Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de
To:

The “Experiment” that Franklin proposed to his landlord on May 2 succeeded. Chaumont finally accepted the judgment that their arbitrator, Ferdinand Grand, had drawn up two years earlier. Franklin, in turn, agreed to allow Chaumont to deduct his debt in Europe from the larger sum owed to him by Congress, and, as promised, gave him another large advance: 20,000 l.t.
Document (I) is the agreement signed by both parties in the presence of Thomas Barclay. Drafted by Ferdinand Grand, it was written by Franklin on the verso of Grand’s 1782 report.
Document (II), written by Franklin for Chaumont’s signature, is a receipt for the advance and an acknowledgment of their arrangement regarding payment. It, too, was attested by Barclay.
A third document, which formed the basis for the other two, was also signed on May 28 by Franklin, Chaumont, and Barclay: a one-sheet account calculating Chaumont’s debt in Europe. It deducted from the 1782 total the additional rent that Franklin owed in the interim: 1,333 l.t. from the time of Grand’s award (May 7, 1782) until January 7, 1783, and 7,500 l.t. from that date through April 7, 1784. The latter sum was calculated at a rate of 6,000 l.t. per year.
Barclay reviewed all the papers relating to Chaumont’s accounts over the next two weeks. He returned them to William Temple Franklin on June 13, approving the settled account but pointing out that Grand’s report had made an error of one livre in Franklin’s

favor. The official copy of Chaumont’s account that he sent to Robert Morris was dated June 14, 1784. Franklin wrote an explanation to accompany it; that letter, addressed to Robert Morris and dated June 15, is now missing.

[May 28, 1784]

I.
Nous soussignés aprés avoir bien examiné & reflechi sur l’arbitrage cy dessus, rendu par Monsieur Grand, & vu le dépouillement qu’il a fait de nos Comptes respectifs; avons unanimement & respectivement accepté le dit Arbitrage, en consequence du-quel moy Le Ray de Chaumont me reconnois redevables envers M. le Docteur Franklin de la Somme de Trente cinque mille six cents trent quatre livres neuf Sols sept deniers.
Et moy Benjamin Franklin consens que la susdite Somme de 35,634.9.7 cy dessus reste entre les mains de Monsieur le Ray de Chaumont pour valoir en deduction de celle qu’il reclame du Congrés pour Marchandise livrée au General Lincoln, & Medecines livrées à Rhodeisland, conformement au Reçu separé qu’il m’en remettra en consequence. Et moy le Ray de Chaumont reconnois que M. Le Docteur Franklin m’a rendu en ce moment mes deux Billets montant a cinquant mille Livres ensemble consentis cy-devant en sa faveur. Au moyen de quoi nous nous reconnoissons respectivement quittes & dechargées reciproquement, renonçons en consequence à toutes pretentions quelqueconques l’un envers l’autre relativement au Compte dessus dit Arbitrage; declarons de plus que tous titres & Pièces qui pourroient etre restées entre nos mains à la charge de l’un ou de l’autre sont devenues nulles & de nulle effet, n’entendant s’il s’en trouve qu’on puisse s’en prevaloir, ni en faire aucun usage.

En foy de quoy nous avons signé a Passy ce vingt huit Mai, 1784.

Le Ray de Chaumont
B Frankin

[In Thomas Barclay’s hand:] Present Thos Barclay

II.
At Passy, this 28th Day of May 1784, then adjusted all Accounts between me and Mr Franklin Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States; and allowing the Ballance found to be due from me by our Arbitrator M. Grand, viz Thirty-five Thousand Six hundred and Thirty four Livres nine Sols and seven deniers, and deducting from that Sum the Sum of Eight Thousand Eight hundred and thirty three Livres since accruing to me for Rent to the seventh of April last, there remains due from me the Sum of Twenty-six Thousand Eight hundred and one Livres, nine Sols & seven deniers: But as there is a Debt due to me from the Congress, in America, M. Franklin has advanced to me Twenty Thousand Livres on that Account, which with the above Ballance making in the whole Forty six thousand Eight hundred and one Livres nine Sols & seven deniers As to be deducted from the said Debt, due for Clothing delivered to General Lincoln & for Medicines. Witness my hand.

Leray de Chaumont

[In Thomas Barclay’s hand:] Present Thos Barclay


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 30 May 1784
From: Alexander, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Dear Sir
Richmond Virginia 30 May 1784

I cannot let my first ship go without dropg you a few lines—Jonn woud inform you of my arrival of the severity of the Winter, & of my Journey to Philadelphia which was necessary for setling a plan for conducting my money transactions which I did

to my Satisfaction— I had the pleasure of Seeing your amiable Daughter Grand Children & Mr Bache, & received every mark of kindness from all of Them— Your Town pleases me much, not merely on account of the regularity of the streets, but the seeming energy of the Inhabitants, in a word The Congress may Sit where It pleases but Philadelphia is, & always will be the Capital of America— With regard to my business I have met with all the Obstructions I expected & some that I coud not forsee, particularly there is a want of order & economy in business in this State, that exceeds all Imagination— A Man must literaly do what Poor Richard Advises, to have any thing done he must go, judge what follows from this for a person whose business must Lye equaly on the four great rivers, & over an Extent of 50 leagues on each of these rivers, with a very little time I hope however to have my machine mounted, to go with tolerable regularity & Some Advantage, what can be done for a litle time will be merely to keep afloat, without dammage to the Concern— This I think we shall do in all events—
I have on mature deliberation fix’d myself here for the present, it is pretty Centrical, the seat of Government & of the weekly post, but I am obliged to Contrive posts for my own business, & when I begin vigourously, must keep 7 or 8 horses running Constantly backward & forward.
The difficulties I have to encounter give me time to Lay my plan in such a way as will require less mending than if we had been hurried at first—

I have been very well receivd by the Governor & have got acquainted & even Connected with all the Ingenious Men in this state, who make any figure, Except Mr Jefferson & two or three more yet Absent—In a word If my Constitution will stand this Climate, I can live here agreeably But unless necessity were to Oblige me, woud not think of bringing out my Family— Were Philadelphia my residence I certainly woud— At present I consider myself as in Another world, & wish to forget every thing in the old one, but my Friends & my Business.
I have met with Many very Ingenious & Worthy Men in whose society I coud pass my life with pleasure— Amongst the old race Col Geo: Mason & Mr With surprised me, And there are young Men getting Forward who will yield to their predecessors in Nothing— Mr Madison, must soon have a considerable weight in this state, or in any state in which he is Employed—
Your old Colleague Arthur Lee is sent to treat with the Indians, He is at present neither in Congress nor Assembly—
I beg to be rememberd to your Grand son & secretary & all our Friends with You— I hope my boy gives you & Him Satisfaction— I was pleasd wt His letter to Williams about the Baloons, I sent it to Dr Foulke & it helpd to make one, which he had begun upon my Information— I think the Dr will Succeed in his Business which is still more material. He & his Family did every thing possible to render my stay in Philadelphia agreeable. You have got a New Colleague of whom fame Speaks highly— You will learn that we are limiting our Foreign trade

to a few points in the Bay— This will soon make Norfolk a great Mart & will I think be of general Service & of advantage to us. Let me know my Dear Sir if I can be usefull to you or yours in this Country & believe me unalterably My Dear Sir Your most devoted hble Ser

W: Alexander
Dr B: Franklin M: P: of the United States at Passy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Paolo Frisi, 30 May 1784
From: Frisi, Paolo
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur.
à Milan ce 30 Mai 1784

Depuis mon depart de Londres je ne vous ai ecrit, Monsieur, que pour vous remercier du beau present que vous m’avez fait de vos ouvrages, et j’ai appris par le gazzettes publiques les grandes nouvelles qui vous regardoient directement, celles de la revolution de L’Amerique. J’espere cependant que vous ne m’aurez pas oublié, et je vais profiter de toute la bonté que vous m’avez temoignée autres fois en vous presentant Monsr. le Chevr. Castiglioni gentilhomme d’une maison de plus distinguées de nôtre ville qui compte de faire un tour dans L’Amerique pour voir de près cette brave et nouvelle Nation, et pour y continuer ses recherches sur L’Histoire Naturelle. Je l’ai chargé de presenter mes deux premiers volumes à L’Académie de Philadelphie.

Je vous prie de le diriger. Vous aurez des nouveaux droits sur la reconnoissance comme sur le vrai le profond respect avec le quel j’ai l’honneur d’etre Monsieur Vôtre très humble très obeissant serviteur

Frisi

Addressed: à Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre Plenipe. des Etats-Unis de L’Amerique / de L’Acad. Roy. des sciences de Paris. / à Passy.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 31 May 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Vergennes, Charles Gravier, comte de

Sir,
Passy, May 31. 1784.

Some Inconveniencies are said to have arisen from a want of Certainty in the Powers of our Consuls. The Articles respecting that Matter have been some time prepared and agreed to between Mr de Raynevall and me. If there is no Change of Sentiment respecting them, I beg leave to request your Excellency would direct such Steps to be taken as may be proper for compleating them. I am ready on the Part of the United States to sign them at any time. With great Respect, I am, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servant

B Franklin
His Excellency the Count de Vergennes.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Comtesse d’Houdetot, 31 May 1784
From: Houdetot, Elisabeth-Françoise-Sophie de La Live de Bellegarde, comtesse d’
To: Franklin, Benjamin

a Sannois Le 31. may 1784.

Me permettés Vous Mon Cher Et Venerable Docteur De Vous Demander De Vos nouvelles; Et Dans L’Eloignement ou je Suis De Vous De M’informer au Moins Comment Vous Vous portés Et Si Vous pensés quelques fois a la personne La plus Remplie Des Sentimens De L’attachement Le plus tendre Et De La plus profonde Veneration, je ne puis oublier la touchante Bonté avec Laquelle Vous avés Bien Voulû Songer aux Moyens De Venir Encore Embellir ma Solitude que Vous avés Deja Consacrée; Et je n’ay Songé qu’a Vous En faciliter Les Moyens. Je me Suis assurée D’un yacht Commode, Dont Vous Disposerés En prevenant quelques jours D’avance affin qu’il Soit parfaittement En Etât. Il apartient a Mr. De La ferté Des Menus, Et il Sera a Vos Ordres ainsy que Ses Batelliers, avec Lesquels j’ay même fait prix pour que Vous n’en Soyés pas Oberé; ils Demandent Soixante Livres pour L’allée Et la Venue. Ils Vous Conduiraient a Epinay, qui Est a une petite Lieüe De Chez moy, ou j’irais Vous Reçevoir. Vous auriés Dans Votre promenade a pied Le Thé Et Du Repos a une Maison a Moitié Chemin. En allant par Eau jusqu’a Argenteüil Vous auriés moins De Chemin a pied De pres De Moitié mais il faut un peu Monter Et Le Chemin n’est pas Si doux aux pieds; il faudrait Mon Cher Docteur que Cela S’Executât au Mois ou nous Entrons, je quitte Sannois au Mois De juillet pour Voyager Et Dailleurs La Saison Serait trop Chaude Et La Campagne Moins Belle. Vous n’auriés qu’a M’informer Du jour ou Vous Voudriés partir Et De Celuy De Votre Retour, il faut au moins plusieurs jours De Sejour Chez moy, Si Cela pouvait aller a huit ou plus, ah! Mon Cher Docteur qu’elle peine pour Moy Si je n’ay fait la qu’un Beau Songe, je m’En Remets a Votre Bonté,

a Votre prudence, a La persuasion ou Vous deves Estre que je ne Voudrais pas acheter Le plus grand plaisir De ma Vie aux Risques de Vous Exposer a la Moindre incommodite. Decides Done De mon Sort Mon Cher Docteur Et tel qu’il Soit Rapelles Vous La tendre amitie Et L’Estime De Celle qui Vous Ecrit En particulier Et Le Respect Et La Reconnaissance qu’elle partage avec Le Reste Des hommes.
Permettes moy De Me Recommander aux Soins Et aux Souvenirs De Monsieur franklin Votre petit fils qui Vous accompagnera a Ce que j’Espere. Je Serais Bien Charmee Si Vous Voulies aussy M’amenner Ce jeune petit fils que j’ay Vu Chez Vous Dont La figure Charmante Est Deja paree D’un Si Beau Caractere De franchise Et De Liberte

La Ctesse. Dhoudetot

Notation: La Cesse. d’Houdetot 31 May 1784—


Title: Meteorological Imaginations and Conjectures, [May 1784]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To:

The “dry fog” that blanketed much of Europe during the summer of 1783 had occasioned much scientific speculation, but its cause was as yet unknown. In this paper, written nearly a year after the fog first appeared, Franklin was less concerned with its cause (though he did propose a theory that would turn out to be correct) than with its effect, proposing a connection between the summer’s fog and the exceptionally cold winter that followed.

Franklin docketed this essay “May 1784,” and we are unable to date it more precisely. He sent a fair copy to Benjamin Vaughan well before July 17, when he offered the piece to Thomas Percival for his newly formed Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester and suggested that Percival get a copy from Vaughan. Percival read the essay to the Manchester society on December 22, and it was published in the second volume of the society’s memoirs.

[May, 1784]

Meteorological Imaginations & Conjectures
There seems to be a Region high in the Air over all Countries, where it is always Winter, where Frost exists continually, since in the midst of Summer on the Surface of the Earth, Ice falls often from above in the Form of Hail.—
Hailstones of the great Weight we sometimes find them, did not probably acquire their Magnitude before they began to descend. The Air being 400 times rarer than Water, is unable to support it but in the Shape of Vapour, a State in which its Particles are separated. As soon as they are condensed by the Cold of the upper Regions so as to form a Drop, that Drop begins to fall. If it freezes into a Grain of Ice, that Ice descends. In descending both the Drop of Water and the Grain of Ice, are augmented by Particles of the Vapour they pass thro’ in falling, and which they condense by their Coldness and attach to themselves.
It is possible that in Summer, much of what is Rain when it arrives at the Surface of the Earth, might have been Snow when it began its Descent; but being thaw’d in passing thro’ the warm Air near that Surface, it is changed from Snow into Rain.
How immensely cold must be the original Particle of Hail, which forms the Center of the future Hailstone, since it is

capable of communicating sufficient Cold, if I may so speak, to freeze all the Mass of Vapour condensed round it, and form a Lump of perhaps 6 or 8 ounces in weight!
When in Summer time the Sun is high, and long every Day above the Horizon, his Rays strike the Earth more directly & with longer Continuance than in Winter; hence the Surface is more heated, and to a greater Depth by the Effect of those Rays.
When Rain falls on the heated Earth, and soaks down into it, it carries down with it a great Part of the Heat, which by that means descends still deeper.
The Mass of Earth to the depth perhaps of 30 Feet, being thus heated, to a certain degree, continues to retain its Heat for some time. Thus the first Snows that fall in the Beginning of Winter, seldom lie long on the Surface, but are soon melted & absorbed. After which the Winds that blow over the Country on which the Snows had fallen are not rendred so cold as they would have been by those Snows if they had remained. The Earth too, thus uncovered by the Snow, which would have reflected the Sun’s Rays, now absorbs them, receiving and retaining the Warmth they afford. And thus the Approach of the Severity of Winter is retarded; and the extreme degree of its Cold is not always at the time we might expect it, viz. when the Sun is at its greatest Distance, and the Days shortest, but some Time after that Period, according to the English Proverb which says,

As the Day lengthens,
The Cold Strengthens.—

The Causes of refrigeration continuing to operate, while the Sun returns too slowly & his Force continues too weak, to counteract them.—
During several of the Summer Months of the Year 1783, when the Effect of the Suns Rays to heat the Earth in these

northern Regions should have been greatest, there existed a constant Fog over all Europe; and great Part of North America. This Fog was of a permanent Nature; it was dry, & the Rays of the Sun seem’d to have little Effect towards dissipating it, as they easily do a moist Fog arising from Water. They were indeed rendred so faint in passing thro’ it, that when collected in the Focus of a Burning Glass they would scarce kindle brown Paper; Of course their Summer Effect in heating the Earth was exceedingly diminished.
Hence the Surface was early frozen.
Hence the first Snows remained on it unmelted, and received continual Additions.
Hence the Air was more chilled, & the Winds more severely cold.
Hence perhaps the Winter of 1783, 4, was more Severe than any that had happened for many Years.
The Cause of this Universal Fog is not yet ascertained.

Whether it was adventitious to this Earth, and merely a Smoke proceeding from the Consumption by Fire of some of those great burning Balls or Globes which we happen to meet with in our rapid Course round the Sun, and which are sometimes seen to kindle & be destroy’d in passing our Atmosphere, and whose Smoke might be attracted and retain’d by our Earth: Or whether it was the vast Quantity of Smoke long continuing to issue during the Summer from Hecla in Iceland, and that other Volcano which arose out of the Sea near that Island; which Smoke might be spread by various Winds over the northern Part of the World; is yet uncertain.
It seems, however, worth the Enquiry, whether other hard Winters recorded in History, were preceded by similar permanent & widely-extended Summer Fogs. Because if found to be so, Men might from such Fogs conjecture the Probability of a succeeding hard Winter, & of the Damages to be expected by the breaking up of frozen Rivers at the Approach of

Spring; and take such Measures as are possible & practicable to secure themselves and Effects from the Mischiefs that attended the last.—

Notation by Franklin: Meteorological Paper May 1784


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Walter, May 1784
From: Walter, John
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir,
London May [blank] 1784

I am oblig’d for your kind Letter, & the present accompanying it, which I think of great Moment to my future Patent.— When I first apply’d to have Type cemented for the incorrect

Pamphlet I sent You, Mr. Caslon charg’d Me 2 s./0 per Pound for them, instead of 1 s./0 the common Price of Letters, but gave Me Expectation that the Demand would be lessen’d, if an Appearance of Business took place in that Way, however I find no Abatement in Price from him, though he has every Reason now to find it will be continued.— When I first publish’d that Pamphlet in the Authors Name, I threw it out into the World to court every Objection, which could possibly arise against the Mode intended for Execution— The Answers & Objections made by several Printers, in viewing the Fount, & Criticisms in the Reviews, have been so puerile to common Understanding, that I have been induc’d to purchase the Kings late printing House, near Apothecaries Hall, Blackfriars, (formerly Mr. Baskets) which has been fitted up for the purpose, & will open on the 1st. Day of next Month, for conducting Business on the Plan contain’d in the Pamphlet.— It has been a very laborious Work to combat a whole Language, to arrange it, & make a proper Portion of Words for general Use, but when I took it up about a Year since, it was so voluminous, that though 6 Years Labor

had been bestow’d, & great Ingenuity mark’d the Work, Utility was yet wanting; for was a Compositor to ramble round a very extended Space, in search of the different Letters of the Alphabet, the Time taken up by such a process, would not compensate for the Number of Motions to form the Words— To correct this Evil has been the Attention of my Thoughts for a considerable Time, without much Assistance from Mr. Johnson, who I found in a short Space after his Introduction to Me, not only a very eccentric Genius, but a Man without Principle, & of unbounded Extravagance, & I have had as much Plague to render him of further Use in the Matter, as with the Work itself— You will excuse my being very minute in Description of the Arrangement, on which the Facility of the Work depends, because I mean to offer a Fount of it to the Court of France, as I have already to that of Russia by the Ambassador of that Court, who did Me the Honor to view it with the Duke of Richmond on Saturday last— Thus far I may venture to inform You, that the whole English Language (except Technicals & Obsolete Words) are compriz’d in 8 Cases of 3 feet 3 Inches, by 1 foot 7 Inches each, which takes up an Extent of only 6 feet 6 Inches, because 2 Pair Cases are in Front, & 1 Pair on either Side, making a triangular Box, so that the Compositor by the Method of placing, has no more than 4½ feet to range in— One Case contains all particles, Pronouns & auxiliary Verbs, likewise Words of all Figures; 6 Cases contain the rest of the Language as simple Words, with & without the concludg. Letters where they admit of a Compound, & One Case has every Termination, so that

for Instance if the Word converse is wanted—convers admits of ation, ing, ed, ible &c &c— The Duke of Richmond was so well pleas’d that he has desir’d a complete Fount, which I mean to present his Grace with, after the Offer of one to his Majesty, whom You may observe gave Me the Liberty to dedicate it to him, & his Grace the Duke of Portland did Me the Honor of presenting it— The Madness of Parties, now War is at an End, has kept the King hitherto from attending the Subject, further than perusing the Pamphlet, but I do not despair of having his royal Presence ere long.— This important Improvement of the Press is brought forward to the World, from my having been very unfortunate as well as my Country in the Consequences of the mad War it has been engag’d— The enclos’d Paper will give you a Description of a hard Case, & the prophetic Warning I gave the Duke of Grafton (after addressing Lord North on the Subject I was deeply involv’d in, without Reply) but such was the Supineness (to say no worse) of our Administration, that had an Angel from Heaven portended the Seperation which has taken place, it would not have been attended to.— The Man who first invented the Arrangement of the Language would very probably have suffer’d the patent to expire, without Assistance from the Notoriety of his Character, but from my Exertion; having been for 3 Years past treating with, & cheating a Variety of Persons, to whom he had offer’d it, & was at the Time I took it in Hand, in the most abject State.— The Pamphlet you note in your Letter of Madame de St. Paul, I am utterly

a Stranger to, but the Perusal of it, & the Mode of your casting your Terminations sent Me, (which are not quite exact) will be highly acceptable— I am afraid the Founders here, foreseeing a Revolution in their Trade, & being very few in Number, retard my Work, as near 4 Months since I bespoke 3000lb Weight of Types cemented, without having yet a single Pound, which could I get Punches & Matrices made of exactness, would oblige Me to turn Founder; for as my ultimate Intention is, to sell the Type, I must not be at such a State of Uncertainty— My Patent being “for the sole Privilege of casting & cementing as well as using &c”— I have sent You our Letters, that You may see the Manner of cementing them, which is with the same compound the Letter is cast, & you will observe the common Letter runs flush at Bottom, whereas the other is printed for the Metal to close the Vacancy— I recollect Mr. Barclay was in haste when I deliver’d him the Pamphlet, which occasion’d my sending no Letter by him, which I thought the less necessary, as he saw the Apparatus at my House, & therefore was the more fully enabled to describe it— Either You or the Founders here are wrong, by your supposing if a Letter is batter’d, it can be remov’d, without Prejudice to the rest, as the Word is rejected should that happen, which makes Me very desirous of casting the Word, entire, if it is practicable with any exactness— I have corrected the Outlines of a grammatical Dictionary for an universal Language, so digested, that the same Writing & Character, shall be perfectly understood in the Latin, Greek, Hebrew, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Russian, Swedish, Danish, & Turkish Languages; with Blank Columns for the Insertion of any other Language, & that each may be alternately translated into the other, by being acquainted with one Language only. But as yet I have the Pamphlet unfinish’d, & in Manuscript only, as the present Work engrosses all my Attention, & Johnson is so bad a Man, & so little to be depended on, that I despair of his Services being long continued— He is so much in Debt here, that he is afraid of stirring out, & seldom keeps a Lodging a Month together, & of that unbounded Expence, that no Purse is equal to his Demands, & was he in Possession of a Thousand Pounds now, a Week hence would find him without a Shilling— I am going to publish a Newspaper by

my Plan, & intend very soon bringing forward a new Edition of the Classics— I should be glad to have my Improvement laid before the Court of France for their Approbation, & would willingly send the King a complete printing Fount, that the Nation might have the Benefit of it, laying myself open to the Liberality of the Monarch, perhaps you might much assist Me in this Wish, as I find it will require a much more extensive Fortune, than the Calamities of the late War have left Me to command, in forwarding the plan [on] a liberal Scale, which I am ambitious of putting it—
Your further Correspondence on this [Subject,] with Convenience to yourself, will be much esteem’d by Sir Your Much Oblig’d & Obedt. Servt

John Walter

PS. This will be deliver’d by my Friend Robt. Hunter Esqr. an eminent Merchant of this City, whom I beg to introduce on this Occasion—

Dr. Franklin.—

Addressed: Dr. Benjamin Franklin / at Passy near / Paris / per Favor of Robt. Hunter Esqr
Notations in different hands: Mr Hunter No 14 Rue Caumortin / John Walter May 1784.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Lord Howe, [1 June 1784]
From: Howe, Rear Adm. Richard, Viscount
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[June 1, 1784]

Ld Howe desires with the Kings permission to Present the History of the late Capt. Cooks last Voyage Printed under the direction of the admiralty To Dr. Franklin; in acknowledgment of the Doctors Liberal Endeavors for Preventing all Obstructions Which that Celebrated circumnavigator might have been liable to from American Cruizers on his return to Europe.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley, 2 June 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Hartley, David

Sir,
Passy, June 2. 1784—

I have considered the Observations you did me the honour of communicating to me, concerning certain Inaccuracies of Expression and suppos’d Defects of Formality in the Instrument of Ratification, some of which are said to be of such a Nature as to affect “the Validity of the Instrument.” The first is, “that the United States are named before his Majesty, contrary to the established Custom observed in every Treaty in which a crowned Head and a Republick are the contracting Parties.” With respect to this, it seems to me we should distinguish between that Act in which both join, to wit, the Treaty, and that which is the Act of each separately, the Ratification. It is necessary that all the Modes of Expression in the joint Act, should be agreed to by both Parties; tho’ in their separate Acts each Party is Master of, and alone accountable for, its own Mode. And on inspecting the Treaty it will be found that his Majesty is always regularly named before the United States. Thus the “established Custom in Treaties between crowned Heads and Republicks,” contended for on your Part, is strictly observed. And the Ratification following the Treaty contains these Words, “Now know ye, that we the United States in Congress assembled, having seen and considered the Definitive Articles aforesaid, have approved, ratified and confirmed, and by these Presents do approve, ratify and confirm the said Articles, and EVERY Part and Clause THEREOF, &c.” Hereby all those Articles, Parts and Clauses wherein the King is named before the United States, are approved, ratified and confirmed, and this solemnly under the Signature of the President of Congress, with the public Seal affixed by their Order, and countersigned by their Secretary. No Declaration on the Subject, more determinate or more authentic can possibly be made or given; which, when considered,

may probably induce his Majesty’s Ministers to waive the Proposition of our signing a similar Declaration, or of sending back the Ratification to be corrected in this Point, neither appearing to be really necessary. I will however, if it be still desired, transmit to Congress the Observation and the Difficulty occasion’d by it, and request their Orders upon it. In the mean time I may venture to say, that I am confident there was no Intention of affronting his Majesty by this Order of Nomination, but that it resulted merely from that sort of Complaisance which every Nation seems to have for itself, and of that Respect for its own Government customarily so express’d in its own Acts, of which the English among the rest afford an Instance, when in the Title of the King they always name Great Britain before France.
The second Objection is, “that the Term Definitive Articles is used instead of Definitive Treaty.” If the Words Definitive Treaty had been used in the Ratification instead of Definitive Articles, it might have been more correct, tho’ the Difference seems not great, nor of much Importance, as in the Treaty itself it is called “the present Definitive Treaty.”
The other Objections are, “that the Conclusion likewise appears deficient, as it is neither signed by the President, nor is it dated, and consequently is wanting in some of the most essential Points of Form necessary towards authenticating the Validity of the Instrument.” The Situation of Seals and Signatures in Public Instruments differs in different Countries, tho’ all equally valid; for when all the Parts of an Instrument are connected by a Ribband whose Ends are secured under the Impression of the Seal, the Signature and Seal wherever plac’d, are understood as relating to and authenticating the whole. Our Usage is to place them both together in the broad Margin near the Beginning of the Piece; and so they stand in the present Ratification; the concluding Words of which declare the Intention of such Signing and Sealing to be the giving Authenticity to the whole Instrument; viz. “In Testimony whereof, we have caused the Seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed, Witness his Excellency Thomas Mifflin, Esqr President;” and the Date, suppos’d to be omitted, (perhaps from its not appearing in

Figures) is nevertheless to be found written in Words at length, viz. “this fourteenth Day of January in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and eighty four;” which made the Figures unnecessary.
With great Esteem and Respect I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servant

B. Franklin
His Excellency David Hartley, Esqr

Endorsements: DF to DH June 2/8 1784 / DF to DH June 2/8 1784


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Thompson, 2 June 1784
From: Thompson, Thomas
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Dover 2 June 1784—

I have the honor to inform your Excellency that Mr. Jay embark’d on board the Ship Edward, Capt. Cooper with his Lady and family the 31 Ulto in the Evening with a fair wind which has continued ever since.
I am also to advice you that a Picture of the Marquis la Fayet intended for Genl. Washington in Mr Jay’s care was oblig’d

to be left on shore as the Ship was quite full and it could not be taken down the Hatchway the dementions being to large, if the ship had not been fully Laden. And it was thought very improper to take it upon Deck, the only way possible it could have been Carried, Mr Jay was very sorry to be under the necessity of leaving it behind. I promisd him to write you on this Subject and to follow any instructions you may please to give me respecting the further disposal of it. If you will prefer its going up to London it can be sent to the Kings Warehouse and waite an Opportunity of shiping it for what place and to whom you may order it to be consign’d.
But if you will Chuse to have it Returnd to Calais it can be sent back any day, I apprehend Mr Joshua Johnson in London can get it shipt almost every Week for any Port in America, If you are pleas’d to give me any instructions a Letter directed for me at Mr Laurance Isaac’s at Calais will be sent me the first Vessel from that port.
I have the Honor to Remain with the most perfect Respect.— Your Excellencys Most Obedient and very Humble Servant

Tho Thompson
His Excellency Benjm. Franklin Esqr. Ambassador from the United States of America

Addressed: His Excellency B. Franklin Esqr. / Ambassador from the United States / of America / a / Paris


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from George Washington, 2 June 1784
From: Washington, George
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Washington here announces that his former aide David Humphreys has been elected by Congress to serve as the secretary of the new

commission to negotiate commercial treaties. His election crushed Franklin’s hopes for a diplomatic career for his grandson William Temple Franklin. On August 15 Temple wrote his friend William Carmichael that the selection of Humphreys “was rather thought singular by most of our Sensible Men (Mr. Morris & Mr. Jefferson entre autres). We were both, you and myself, mentioned, but it seems Genl. Washington on his Return Home had left his 3 Aids as a legacy to Congress & they had promised to provide for them; & having made Registers of two, they thought they could not do better than make the third a Secy. of Legation.” Elbridge Gerry analyzed the choice in a June 16 letter to John Adams. Although “great Pains were taken” to retain Temple Franklin as secretary to the commission, Adams’ supporters in Congress were able to convince the majority that the doctor’s close relationship with Temple would interfere with the work of the commission. Franklin was not only his relative but also his “best Friend & patron,” and had even expressed to Congress his desire that Temple be appointed minister to Sweden. Given that Franklin and Adams “were not on the most friendly terms,” Temple would surely have a bias that would disrupt, if not “defeat,” the negotiations. Gerry exulted that Franklin would feel Congress’ reproach in Adams’ appointment as “the Head of the Commission” and in finding that Temple had “not only no Prospect of promotion, but has been actually superseeded.”

Dear Sir,
Mount Vernon 2d June 1784

Congress having been pleased to appoint Colo. Humphrys Secretary to the Commissioners, for forming Commercial Treaties in Europe, I take the liberty of introducing him to you.—

This Gentleman was several years in my family as an Aid de Camp.— His zeal in the cause of his Country, his good sense, prudence, and attachment to me, rendered him dear to me; and I persuade myself you will find no confidence wch. you may think proper to repose in him, misplaced.— He possesses an excellent heart, good natural & acquired abilities, and sterling integrity—to which may be added sobriety, & an obliging disposition.
A full conviction of his possessing all these good qualities, makes me less scrupulous of recommending him to your patronage and friendship.— He will repeat to you the assurances of perfect esteem, regard, & consideration, with which I have the honor to be. Dear Sir, Yr. Most Obedt. & very Hble. Ser:

Go: Washington
The Honble. Doctr Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Lafayette, [3 June 1784]
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My dear Sir
Thursday Morning [June 3, 1784]

Having determined to Go By the Next packet that Sails from L’orient on the 22d inst, I shall Be Happy to Be Honoured With Your Commands— I don’t leave Paris Before the 17th and Will in a few days Wait Upon Your Excellency— Be So kind as to let

me know if You Have Heard Any thing from America— The only News I Had are, 1st that the Cincinnati Affair occasiones Great debates 2d that Congress Have an intention to Adjourn to Six Months and leave a Committee with Very Small Powers— 3dly that the Washington Packet is offered for Sale— Have You Received Any thing that Relates to Your own Motions?
Most Respectfully and Affectionately Yours

Lafayette

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / A Passy
Endorsements: June 3. 1784 / Marqs de la Fayette June 3. 84


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to the Conde de Campomanes, 5 June 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Campomanes, Pedro Rodríguez, conde de

Sir,
Passy, June 5. 1784

I have received much Instruction and Pleasure in reading your excellent Writings; I wish it were in my Power to make

you a suitable Return of the same kind. I embrace the Opportunity my much esteemed Friend Mr Carmichael affords me, of sending you a late Collection of some of my occasional Pieces, of which, if I should live to get home I hope to publish another Edition much larger more correct & less unworthy of your Acceptance. You are engaged in a great Work, reforming the ancient Habitudes, removing the Prejudices, and promoting the Industry of your Nation. You have in the Spanish People good Stuff to work upon; and by a steady Perseverance you will obtain perhaps a Success beyond your Expectation; for it is incredible the Quantity of Good that may be done in a Country by a single Man who will make a Business of it, and not suffer himself to be diverted from that Purpose by different Avocations, Studies or Amusements.— There are two Opinions prevalent in Europe, which have mischievous Effects in diminishing national Felicity; the one, That useful Labour is dishonourable; the other that Families may be perpetuated with Estates. In America we have neither of these Prejudices, which is a great Advantage to us. You will see our Ideas respecting the first in a little Piece I send you called Information to those who would remove to America. The second is mathematically demonstrable to be an Impossibility under the present Rules of Law & Religion. Since tho’ the Estate may remain entire, the Family is continually dividing. For a Man’s Son is but half of his Family, his Grandson but a fourth, his Great Grandson but an Eighth, the next but a Sixteenth of his Family; and by the same Progression in only

nine Generations the present Proprietor’s Part in the then Possessor of the Estate will be but a 512th, supposing the Fidelity of all the succeeding Wives equally certain with that of those now existing: too small a Portion methinks to be anxious about, so as to oppose a legal Liberty of breaking Entails and dividing Estates, which would contribute so much to the Prosperity of the Country. With great & sincere Esteem and Respect, and best Wishes for the Success of your patriotic Undertakings, I have the honour to be Sir

M. de Campomanes


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Antoinette-Thérèse Melin Dutartre, 6 June 1784
From: Dutartre, Antoinette-Thérèse Melin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

ce 6 juin 1784 à L’arbalêtre par Ris à Risroute de fontainebleau

Je vous envoye, mon papa, une Sollicitation que le principal du college des irlandois me fait, Si vous pouvez y avoir egard, vous m’obligerez infiniment. Jespere que vous ne m’avez pas totalement oublié? Les maladies cruelles nous ont Separés. Je nai été qu’une Seule fois voir nôtre charmante amie, et il ne me fut pas possible d’aller vous embrasser: ne me punissez pas, mon papa, de l’obligation ou j’ai été de me priver du plaisir de vous voir: je Suis à mon arbalêtre, en assez bonne Santé toujours possedée du desir de vous y recevoir: mais vos affaires, vôtre Santé, Sont

elles d’accord avec mon désir? Voila le hic! C’est ce que je veux Scavoir de vous: qu’une bonne lettre, angloise, de la main du papa me dedomage de ne le point voir j’attends cette lettre et Suis en attendant avec toutte la tendresse et l’attachement possible his Dutifull Daughter

Melin Dutartre


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Grattan, 8 June 1784
From: Grattan, Elizabeth Warren
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
Camden Street 37.— Dublin 8th. June 1784.

L’opinion que le Monde entretien si justement des vos talens comme Consellier d’Etat, & de votre Sapience comme un Ecolier, et si generalement connu qu’il ne’st point necessaire que je le repete.
Les gens de ce pais vous regarde avec un admiration et un estime que rein ne peut egaler, mais personne plus que Sir Edward Newenham, le vrai Patriote et Soutein de la Liberte; ce’st à son desir que je me fais l’honneur de vous envoyer l’exemple d’un (Œuvrë qui à reçu l’approbation des premiers personnes du Literati ici.
J’ai pris la libertè de prier votre protection comme le plus grand honneur qui puisse courronner mes travaux.

J’ai l’honneur d’etre Monsieur avec le plus grand respect le tres humble, et tres obeissante Servante de votre Excellence

Elizabeth Grattan

Addressed: A son Excellence Monsieur Monsieur / Franklin, Plenepotentiaire aux / Etats unï d’Amerique à la Cour / de France / a Paris


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Lord Rosehill, 9 June 1784
From: Rosehill, Lord
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir—
Rouen 9th. June 1784

I reced. Your Obligeing Information Concerning Your Son, I am again to bege the favour of You to be so Good as to Informe me by the Return of the Post if there are Any Gentlemen of Note, belonging to the State of Virginia, at this time in Paris, & if there is, then Names, and Addresse.— Haveing a Very Conciderable Interest in New Jersey, I will do my self the Pleasure of Waiting on You, the first time I come to Paris,

which I imagine will be about the, First of Jully— In the Mean time beleave me to be Your Most Obed Hble Sert

Rosehill

Notation: Hill 9 June 1784


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Bridgen, 10 June 1784
From: Bridgen, Edward
To: Franklin, Benjamin

London June 10 1784

At the request of Mr Champion I forward the Accompanying Book to your Excellency.
Our Mutual & Worthy friend Mr Laurens leaves Bath this day for Falmouth to go with his Son for New York. May Heaven protect them and spare your Excellency’s long and useful life is the prayer of Dr Sir Yr: Excellency’s obliged & Faithful

Edwd: Bridgen
Not a line from Congress abt: the Copper Coin.

Notation: Edward Bridgen. June 10. 1784.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Livingston, 10 June 1784
From: Livingston, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Elizabeth Town 10th June 1784

I take the liberty of recommending to you Colonel Clarkson who is appointed by the Directors of the University of New York to solicit donations in some parts of Europe, for that Institution. In this capacity I do not recommend him to your notice;

because my feelings as an American are really hurt by our turning mendicants in Europe, where I think our national glory must be greatly obscured by our appearing in so disadvantageous an attitude. But as a young Gentleman of a very amiable character; and as a late brave and excellent officer in the american army, he is worthy of esteem; and your civilities may be of signal service to him as a traveller.
I have the honor to be with great respect your most obedient and very humble servant.

Wil. Livingston

[In Livingston’s hand:] His Excellency Dr Benjamin Franklin Esqr


Title: Map of the United States of America, Following the Peace Treaty of 1783, Dedicated and Presented to Benjamin Franklin: Announcement, [10 June 1784]
From:
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Carte des Etats-Unis de l’Amerique Suivant le Traité de Paix de 1783, issued by Jean Lattré in 1784, was neither the first French map of the United States published after the signing of the peace, nor an entirely accurate depiction of the boundaries of the new nation, as its title implies. It was, however, the only map of the United States

of America dedicated to Benjamin Franklin. Above the dedication and title, in the cartouche, Franklin’s personal coat of arms (which is being hung from the topsail yard by a sailor) appears along with the Great Seal of the United States and the emblem of the Society of the Cincinnati—an organization to which Franklin was firmly, though as yet quietly, opposed. A question that cannot as yet be fully answered is when and under what circumstances Franklin granted permission for this dedication.
The one clue that has come to light suggests that the map for which Franklin originally granted permission evolved over the course of time into a conceptually different work. Lattré, a prominent Parisian engraver, publisher, and retailer of maps and atlases, initially announced it in an undated sales catalog as “Nouvelle Carte des Etats Unis de l’Amérique, avec les Marches & Camps de l’Armée; dédiée a M. Franklin,” to be published at the end of December, 1783. Because Lattré’s name appears nowhere in Franklin’s papers, and no mention of this cartographic project has been found in the correspondence of Franklin or his colleagues, we have not been able to determine when the dedication was solicited. It could have been as early as the winter of 1782–83, when the preliminary articles were signed, the cessation of hostilities was declared, and the French troops were returning home.
As the advertisement published below indicates, Lattré at some time augmented the map with two engraved panels of text that summarized, by location and date, the principal military events of the War of Independence, beginning with the shots fired at Lexington and Concord and ending with the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Almost all the sites mentioned in the panels are shown on the map.

Following the signing of the definitive peace treaty on September 3, 1783, as depictions of the newly defined United States became increasingly desirable, Lattré evidently decided to further shift the map’s focus. He would delineate the nation’s new boundaries and market the map under a title emphasizing its post-treaty relevance. In the end, the “Marches & Camps de l’Armee” promised in the pre-publication announcement were represented only by a barely perceptible line tracing the route of the French army’s march to and from Yorktown, with encampments indicated by tiny dotted rectangles.
Lattré’s map derives from John Mitchell’s Map of the British and French Dominions in North America, which was selected for use during the peace negotiations by the British and American commissioners as the most accurate of the available maps of eastern North America. First issued in 1755, it appeared in two more English editions over the next twenty years, each bearing the original 1755 copyright date. It was the last of these, dating from circa 1774–75, that was used by the peace commissioners and seems to have been Lattré’s source.
One of the Mitchell map’s many shortcomings was its failure to show the St. Mary’s River, separating Georgia from East Florida, which would form part of the southeastern boundary of the United States. (On the Mitchell map used in the peace negotiations, on which John Jay drew the preliminary boundaries in red ink, the St. Mary’s River was added and labeled by hand.) Though Lattré did not have the St. Mary’s River on his map, he approximated its location when he

drew the southern boundary. He erred, however, in delineating the western portion of that boundary, by failing to capture its jog north along the Apalachicola River to its juncture with the Flint, two rivers that did appear on his map.
If Lattré’s engraving was finalized in the months following the signing of the peace treaty, then why was its publication delayed? Franklin may not have allowed a map of the boundaries established by the peace treaty to be published with his name on it until after that treaty was ratified. In the meantime, as he awaited news of the congressional ratification, the French branch of the Society of the Cincinnati was established in Paris and sanctioned by the king, giving Lattré an opportunity to engrave its emblem in his cartouche as a further allusion to his unstated theme: Franco-American military cooperation. The exchange of ratifications finally took place in Paris on May 12. To the best of our knowledge, Lattré’s map was first advertised for sale on June 10, in the notice published here.

[June 10, 1784]

Carte des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique, suivant le traité de paix de 1783; dédiée & présentée à Son Excellence, M. Benjamin Franklin, Ministre Plénipotentiare des Etats-Unis de l’Amérique prés la Cour de France, ancien Président de la Convention de Philadelphie, & de la Société philosophique de cette ville, &c. &c. par le sieur Lattré, Graveur ordinaire du Roi. On a joint à cette Carte un précis des évenémens militaires entre les Américains & les Anglois; le tout sur une feuille & demie de papier grand-aigle. Prix 3 liv. lavée, & 2 liv. 10 s. non lavée. A Paris, chez l’Auteur, rue S. Jacques, la porte-cochère vis-à-vis la rue de la Parcheminerie, no. 20.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Childs, 12 June 1784
From: Childs, Francis
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Honored Sir,
New York, June 12th. 1784—

Pardon the Assurance I possess, in supposing, that while I take the Liberty of troubling you with a few Lines, your generosity will admit it.— I have wrote you not long since, but, Doubtful whether they have come safe to hand, I feel constrained here to make a repetition;—to express in terms the most grateful, the Singular & consequential services you have rendered, & the many Obligations I am under for them; to attempt to render praise would be to offend; but, it is my duty to thank you; and my ambition is to convince you that I wish to merit it.— While some are afflicted with the harsh & unpleasing Stings of Poverty, the Just & Allwise being places others in the Circles of affluence & ease to answer his Charitable Designs in administering comfort to the Distressed—
I feel rather unhappy, that, conscious of the want of Ability, my Spirits are damped & the ardor with which Gratitude inspires me, is extinguished, in the thought of the appearance my Lines may make in the sight of one of your unrivalled abilities,—But I veil these reflexions with the hope of your generous mind burying in oblivion every thing either insignificant or offensive—
With true Respect, I have the Honor to be, Worthy Sir, Your Most Obliged & Obedient Servant,

Francis Child—
Benj. Franklin, Esqr.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Johann von Gott Nekrep, 12 June 1784
From: Nekrep, Johann von Gott
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Excellency!
Vienna the 12 June 1784

Allow me to send you my most gratefull Thanks, for all the favours and politeness you show’d me at Passy. But how shall I find language to express the emotions of my Heart? When

ever I call to Mind the agreeable hours, I have had the Honour to pass with you, my Heart leaps with inexpressible pleasure. Oh! may heaven restore you Sir, to perfect Health, that you may soon fullfil your promiss, to see your good friends, and all that honour and esteem you.
Vienna is more than ever desirous to see so sage and so able Statesman, and so a philosopher, to know and honour him, according to the faint picture I made of him.
How greatly your Nephews will be rejoiced? whom you intend to bring to Vienna, and to visit Italie, when they see the Honours that are paid to their meritorious Uncle. You have desired me Sir, to send you News, worthy of exciting your Curiosity. I have no other fit for you, than that after a long Journey, having pass’d through Lisll, Ostendes, Brussels, Kölln &c. I arrived safe at Vienna, May the 17tn., where I found a Ballon fifty six feet high, and allmost as wide. When they extended the air in it, according to Montgolfiers Method, it swelled beautifully, but as the weight attach’d to it, was too heavy, he did not mount. I was not present, when it was filled, but I fore told what happend. Now it is enlarged consequently it will mount. More over I must tell you, they have not that Enthousiasm here for Ballons, which reigns at Paris, nor will they contribute Meney for making them.
Pardon my troubling you for the first time with so lang a lettre which I shall not be guilting of again. Permit me only to repeat the assurance of the boundless Esteem, with which I have the Honour to be, with the greatest respects Your Excellencyes Most obeidient humble Servant

J. Nekrep

I take the Liberty to desire you the Description of Camins which you had the Kindness to promise me; my Compliments to your Dear Nephews.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Regents of the University of the State of New York, 12 June 1784
From: Regents of the University of the State of New York
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir,
New York June 12th. 1784.

Lieutenant Colonel Clarkson will have the honor of delivering your Excellency this Letter. His business in Europe is to solicit donations for the University of the State of New York. We have instructed him to consult with your Excellency on the most proper mode of effecting the Objects of his Mission And we flatter ourselves that notwithstanding the important Concerns which must constantly claim Your Excellency’s Attention, you will chearfully lend your Aid and Advice to promote the Cause of Science, of which you are so distinguished an Ornament.—
We have the Honor to be with the highest sentiments of Esteem and Respect, Your Excellency’s Most Obedient and very humble servants

[In Clinton’s hand:] By Order & in Behalf of the University

Geo: ClintonJas: Duane
His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr.—


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 14 June 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Thomson, Charles

Dear Sir,
Passy, June 14. 1784.

I received yours of April 19 with the Information you obtained from our old Neighbour Reuben Haines respecting Marggrander, for which I thank you. I am much pester’d with Applications to make such Enquiries, and often obliged to promise that I

will transmit them: but I would not wish you to take more Trouble than to ask Questions of the Members of Congress or others that fall in your way, and communicate to me their Answers, if of any Importance. I have also a Multitude of Projects sent to me with Requests that I would lay them before Congress; they are Plans and Schemes of Government & Legislation, Education, Defence, Manufactures, Commerce &ca. form’d by People who have great Goodwill to us, but are totally ignorant of our Affairs and Circumstances, whence their Projects are for the most part wild and impracticable; or unfit to be presented to Congress as not pertaining to their Jurisdiction. I have therefore not forwarded them; but will now and then send some of them for your Amusement if you should ever have any leisure; that you may see how People make Shoes for Feet they have never measured.
As your Letter mentions nothing of Publick Affairs I imagined I might have had by the same Conveyance some Dispatches from Congress, perhaps in the Care of some Passenger: but a Fortnight has past since the Arrival of the Packet Boat, and no Letters appear; so that I have nothing from Congress later than the 14th. of January, and continue in great Uncertainty as to my Return.
Mr. Norris came here after residing some time at Liege. He staid but a Week or two at Paris, and then removed to a Country Town not far distant, where nothing but French is spoken, in order to improve himself in that Language. He seems a sensible discreet young Man, and I shall with Pleasure render him any Service that may be in my Power.
The King of Sweden is now at this Court, enjoying the various splendid Entertainments provided for him. The Danish Minister is astonished that the Congress are so long without taking any Notice of the proposed Treaty. With great Esteem, I am ever, My Dear Friend Yours most affectionately

B Franklin

Cha. Thomson Esqr. Secretary of Congress.

Endorsed: Letter 13 May & do 14 June 1784 Doct Franklin Recd. 8 Aug. 1784


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Dufriche de Valazé, 15 June 1784
From: Dufriche de Valazé, Charles-Eléonor
To: Franklin, Benjamin

à Essay par le Mesle sur sarthe En normandie,le 15 juin, 1784./.
Monsieur

Le Porteur de cette lettre Est M. Dufriche desgenettes mon neveu qui part pour londres, où il va voir Comme on traite la Médecine qu’il Ètudie depuis __ quatre ans à Paris. C’Est un jeune homme sage Et de Bonne Éspérance, à qui je m’interesse Comme à mon fils. Permettez moi, Monsieur, de vous demander pour lui quelques Recommandations pour votre ancienne Patrie: Rien n’Est aussi nécessaire à un jeune homme qui veut tirer quelque fruit de ses voyages.
Je suis avec le plus Profond Respect, Monsieur, Votre très humble Et très obèissant serviteur

Dufriche De Valazé


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Le Carpentier, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 15 June 1784
From: Le Carpentier, ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
ce 15 juin 1784

Jai lhonneur de vous envoyer mon Specifique contre la gravelle. Jose vous le repeter, d’apres les guerisons quil a operé, vous ne courés aucun risque d’en faire usage. Vous voudrés bien, Monsieur, pendant le tems que vous le prendrés, ne point manger de Salade Surtout le Soir Si vous Soupes, vous interdire le Laitage, non pas deux cuillerées de Lait dans votre Thé, mais fromage a la crême et meme crêmes faites avec le Lait, Si vous pouviés interdire les Epices a votre cuisinier les choses n’en vaudroient que mieux. Mais Surtout, monsieur, point de choses echauffantes, du reste vivés comme il vous plaira, mon Specifique n’exige aucun regime gênant. Faites Surtout le plus d’usage que vous pouvés d’oignons; et Soyés persuadé que cest avec connoissance de cause que jai lhonneur de vous parler; comme vous m’aves fait lhonneur de me dire que vous ne buviés point de vin, il n’y auroit rien d’extraordinaire, quand vous vous trouveriés un peu Etonné apres avoir pris la dose que je vous indiquerai, cela est arrivé a toutes les personnes qui en ont fait usage. Si vous vous determinés a le prendre, ce que je Souhaite extremement, je vous prie de vouloir bien me le faire Savoir, jaurai lhonneur de me transporter ches vous et de Suivre le traitement qui nest pas difficile et qui m’est parfaitement connu par experience
Je Suis avec Respect Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur

Le Carpentierquay de Bourbon isle St Louis no 17

Rx deux Livres doignons Blancs depouillés de leur Pellicule, coupés les en tranches minces; prenés une livre de Sucre Rapé, faites alternativement un lit doignons et un lit de Sucre tant que vous aurés de lun et de lautre dans la Bassine d’un alembic, jettés dessus une Pinte de vinaigre blanc, procedés a la distillation, et reservés la liqueur dans un Vaisseau bien fermé
La dose est pour un adulte dune cuillerée dans un petit Verre de vin Blanc. Deux heures apres on peut dejeuner comme a l’ordinaire, il est mieux de le prendre dans le lit.
Mr Moret apothicaire rue St martin vis avis la Rue jean-Robert fait fort bien ce Sirop et l’a fait pour les personnes a qui je l’ai conseillé a Paris

Endorsed: Express my thankful Acknowledgements to M. Carpentier for his Goodness in sending me his Receipt. I have not yet determined to take any Remedies. When I am, I will acquaint him.