Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Mason Locke Weems and Edward Gantt, Jr., 18 July 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Weems, Mason Locke,Gantt, Edward Jr.

Gentlemen,
Passy, near Paris July 18. 1784.

On receipt of your Letter, acquainting me that the Archbishop would not permit you to be ordain’d unless you took the Oath of Allegiance, I apply’d to a Clergyman of my Acquaintance for Information on the Subject of your Obtaining Ordination here. His Opinion was, that it could not be done; and that if it were done you would be requir’d to Vow Obedience to the Archbishop of Paris. I next enquir’d of the Pope’s Nuncio, whether you might not be ordain’d by their Bishop in America, Powers being sent him for that purpose if he has them not already. The Answer was, The Thing is impossible, unless the Gentlemen became Catholicks.—
This is an Affair of which I know very little, & therefore I may ask Questions & propose means that are improper or

impracticable: But what is the necessity of your being connected with the Church of England? Would it not be as well if you were of the Church of Ireland? The Religion is the same, tho’ there is a different Set of Bishops and Archbishops. Perhaps if you were to apply to the Bishop of Derry, who is a Man of liberal Sentiments, he might give you Orders as of that Church. If both Britain & Ireland refuse you; and I am not sure that the Bishops of Denmark or Sweden would ordain you unless you became Lutherans; what is to be done? Next to becoming Presbyterians, the Episcopalian Clergy of America, in my humble Opinion, cannot do better, than to follow the Example of the first Clergy of Scotland, soon after the Conversion of that Country to Christianity; who when their King had built the Cathedral of St Andrews, and requested the King of Northumberland to lend his Bishops to ordain one for them, that their Clergy might not as heretofore be obliged to go to Northumberland for Orders, and their Request was refused; they assembled in the Cathedral, and the Mitre, Crosier, & Robes of a Bishop being laid upon the Altar, they, after earnest Prayers for Direction in their Choice, elected one of their own Number, when the King said to him, Arise, go to the Altar, and receive your Office at the Hand of God. His Brethren led him to the Altar, robed him, put the Crosier in his Hand, & the Mitre on his Head, and he became the first Bishop of Scotland.—
If the British Islands were sunk in the Sea, (& the Surface of this Globe has suffer’d greater Changes) you would probably take some such Method as this: And if they persist in denying you Ordination, tis the same thing. An hundred Years hence,

when People are more enlightend, it will be wonder’d at, that Men in America, qualified by their Learning and Piety to pray for & instruct their Neighbours, should not be permitted so to do, till they had made a Voyage of 6000 Miles out & home, to ask leave of a cross old Gentleman at Canterbury: Who seems, by your Account, to have as little Regard for the Souls of the People of Maryland, as King William’s Attorney General Seymour had for those of Virginia. The Reverend Commissary Blair, who projected the College of that Province, and was in England to solicit Benifactions & a Charter, relates, that the Queen in the King’s Absence having ordered Seymour to draw up the Charter which was to be given with 2000 £ in Money, he oppos’d the Grant, saying that the Nation was engag’d in an expensive War, that the Money was wanted for better purposes, & he did not see the least Occasion for a College in Virginia. Blair represented to him, that its Intention was to educate & qualify young Men to be Ministers of the Gospel, much wanted there; and begg’d Mr Attorney would consider that the People of Virginia had Souls to be saved as well as the People of England. Souls! says he, damn your Souls. Make Tobacco!
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, &c

Messrs. Weems & Gant


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Andrew Huntington, 19 July 1784
From: Huntington, Andrew
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Norwich, State of ConnecticutJuly 19th. 1784
Honourd Sir

I ought to begin my request by asking pardon for troubling you—but I trust you will be pleased to pardon me when you are rightly informed of my case—
In Octor. 1778. there was a large number of French Prisoners Released from confinement at New York, and Landed at this place in order to be sent to Boston— They were in the most destressed circumstances that you can easily imagine—the greater part very Sick, and in want of every comfort & necessary of Life— Monsr. Testas de Gassies, who had the care of those Prisoners Applied to me to supply them with what necessaries they wanted, and to help them on to Boston as soon as they were able to go— I told that Gentleman I was not willing

to Advance so much money & take his promise for payment— He Advised Mr. Holker the Consul of France who was then in Boston—upon which I Immediately received a Letter from Monsr. Holker dated Octor. 6th. 1778 which I here inclose earnestly requesting me to supply those men with the necessaries they wanted and that I should be repaid with Honour— I had conceived so high an esteem of the Honour & Generosity of his Most Christian Majesty, that I thought I might safely trust the Honour of one of his Principal Servants in the Civil department in the Country— Accordingly I Advanced money for the purchase of necessaries for the poor sick and dying Men—and furnished Teams and horses for those that survived, as fast as they were able to go, to convey them on to Boston, where they were ordered— I advanced all the money And even Straightned my Circumstances to accomplish it, in full expectation of being generously repaid by Mr. Holker as he had promised—
He was selling Bills of Exchange at four for one— I expected and Intended to take Bills in pay, as I wanted to make Remittance for goods—but before I could get through with the Advances and make out my Account—I received the other letter from Mr. Holker which I inclose dated in Decr. 4th. 1778—desiring me to send my Account to him at Philadelphia for payment— Accordingly as soon as I had finished the Account I sent the same to Philadelphia for payment— Mr. Holker declined settling it—and referd. me to a Mr. Bell in Boston to settle it— I was much disappointed— However I sent to Mr. Bell at Boston in hopes to be paid agreable to Mr. Holkers promise, but I was put of there with very little encouragement of ever being paid—
As I had Advanced all my little stock of money in Trade and was in destress for the want of it, I still continued my Application for payment untill in June 1779—Mr. Bell offerd to pay me the

nominal sum in continental money— The money was not then worth but one third the sum which I Advanced, as Bills were then selling at 12 for one— I did not Know of any measure to take to Oblige Mr. Holker to make me satisfaction, and did fear I might Loose the whole—which my Circumstances would not allow of— I was Advised to take what I could get—in expectation that I might in after time have Justice done me— Therefore I Received the nominal Sum which I had Advanced and gave receipt in full— I have since the Peace been Advised to Apply to the Minister of France at Philadelphia—& have Accordingly made application to him by my Attorney as per Petition dated May 4th. 1784—in full Expectiation of Redress— The Petition & the Ministers Answer to the Same I also Inclose—of the 12th. June—
If I had made a Profit in selling goods to the French prisoners, or if I was able to loose so much money—I would not trouble any Body about the Matter—but that is not the case— It was money, and money only—that I Advancd— Before the War I was in good circumstances— I have been largely in advance for supplies and money to the Public to carry on the War—whereby I have been a great looser, together with Large Losses by Navigation which Renders my Circumstances Low, and difficult to continue my Business, so as to support a growing Family— I have therefore taken the Liberty to Intreat and Beseach your Interest and Attention in my Behalf at the Court of France—
The French Nation have had my money for the Support of their Troops, and I do not think that his Most Christian Majesty wishes to support his Troops at my expence, when his own Abilities are aboundantly sufficient— You will please to observe by the Copy of my Account the amount would have purchased

me upwards of Six hundred pounds in Bills of Exchange at the Rate which Mr. Holker was selling at when I Advanced it—& when I Received the money again it would not buy me but about Two hundred pounds in Bills—so that it is easy to see that the King of France did not pay but only one third of my Account in Real money— The other Two thirds is still due to me— At the foot of the Account abovementioned I have stated the Same in Lawfull Money dollars @ 6/ Each by the Scale of Congress and cast the Interest up to June 1784 which leaves a Ballance due to me of £414–6—
I only want my Just due— Mr. Holker is not willing to make me satisfaction because I cannot demand it in Law— I am sorry that any Gentleman is so void of Honesty, as only to be willing to pay a Just debt when the Law will force him to do it.— My demand appears to me so Just, that I cannot think but it will appear so to every candid Mind—and I have no doubt but his Most Christian Majesty will do me Justice—though I Cannot get it from his Servant— Your Interest and Influence at the Court of France is so great that you have Obtained many unmerrited favours for this Country— Therefore I have no doubt but your Generous Disposition will Extend to the relief of the Oppressed and that you will be pleased to Interpose in Behalf of one of your Injured Countrymen.
I neen not pretend to give you any Instruction, the Matter speaks for itself, your Wisdom will direct you to such Measures, as will be proper in the Case— I only want and ask for my Just due, which I Cannot be willing to think Will be denied me— I am with the greatest Esteem your Most Obedient Hble Servant

Andw Huntington
his Excellency Benjm. Franklin Esqr


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre du Calvet, 20 July 1784
From: Du Calvet, Pierre
To: Franklin, Benjamin

a Londres le 20e. Juillet 1784—No. 9, Cannon-Street, prés la poste générale—
Monsieur L’ambassadeur,

Avec le vulgaire des grands, on ne parle guéres de comptes et de dettes, quoi que non personnelles et de pur office pour eux; beaucoup moins en vat’on jusqu’a en Solliciter avec Succés le payement auprés d’eux; leur fierté, leur délicatesse Se formalisent de ces details triviaux, et le peu d’intérest quils prennent aux bésoins étrangers, rend infructueuse toute addresse, faite auprés d’eux pour les Soulager, ce n’est pas lá l’illustre Ambassadeur de l’amérique. Mr. le docteur Franklin est la droiture, la politesse, l’équité, la bienfaisance même: il est l’ami des hommes, et le pére tendre des opprimés. C’est Sur ce pié, que tout paris le reconnoit, l’estime et l’aime, et c’est Sous ces qualités bienfaisantes, que je me flatte de le connoître bientôt moi même, de Sçience expérimentale et d’aprés les lécons du Sentiment.
Je Suis l’infortuné canadien, qui, le 17e. et le 20e. du mois d’octobre dernier, eut l’honneur de communiquer à vôtre Excellence a passi l’histoire de Ses infortunes, a quebec. durant le Sejour des généraux Américains dans la province en 1776. Je fis par leurs ordres des fournitures de toute Espece, jusques á la concurrence de 56,394 l.t. 10 s. 1 d. livres tournois; je lui remis aussi dans les mains les duplicatas des réconnoissances, dont les originaux Sont dans la possession, de Mr. Pierre-charles L’ambert, Banquier, vieille rue du temple prés de l’égout á Paris.—

Le général haldimand en 1780, me Suspecta de favorizer le parti Américain, et me confina pendant 948 jours dans la plus barbare captivité, Sans aucun respect pour L’humanité ni pour les loix, dont j’eus beau réclamer la protection, par mes appels. C’est Sur ce principe d’attachement présumé américain, que ce vindicatif gouverneur, me denia hautement la liberté, de passer, á mon rétour En Europe, par les êtats unis, pour y aller Solliciter en personne á philadelphie, auprés du congrés, la liquidation de la dette. Par la dignité de Sa place, le général haldimand est au dessus des loix á quebec, et depuis mon départ de paris, j’en Suis á poursuivre Son rappel á londres, ou réduit á Son inconséquente individualité, il déviendra le tributaire des loix. Il S’en faut bien que je ne Sois fort avancé vers le Succés, Malgré la vivacité non ralentie de mes instances.
Vôtre Excellence lira dans mon Memoire que j’ai l’honneur de lui addresser le détail des oppressions de cét indigne gouverneur, et dans mon appel, L’indifference et l’inactivité du gouvernement d’angleterre, á les amener Sous la jurisdiction des loix. Cette double Marche d’administration ou Subalterne ou en chef ne la Surprendra pas: ce même esprit de despotisme, qui a démembré L’amérique de L’angleterre, gouverne encore de prés et de loin la province de quebec. Il est vrai que la constitution angloise offre des ressources pour n’en être pas impunement la victime et la dupe: mais ce n’est qu’au poids de l’or, qu’on peut les mettre en oeuvre avec Succés. Depuis Sept mois révolus que je lutte á londres contre les obstacles, mon Séjour m’a couté des Sommes considérables, et cépendant, á proprément parler, á peine ai je commencé, je prépare un appel d’éclat au parlement,

qui m’entrainera dans un Surcroit de dépenses, pour m’ouvrir Seulement, le chemin de la loi; Si la justice et la générosité de l’amérique ne viennent á mon Secours, il m’est impossible de me conserver dans la passe de fournir á tout.
Je S’ai, Monsieur L’ambassadeur, qu’il est une foule de demandeurs, qui comme moi, réclament cette justice et cette générosité; mais j’ose avancer que mon cas est tout á fait privilégié. C’est Sur mon attachement présumé pour la cause de l’amérique, que j’ai été dépouillé Si longtêms de ma liberté, que durant m’a captivité, la tirannie á fait á mon patrimoine une bréche de plus de £ 20,000, Sterling, que les tristes débris de ma fortune dépérissent encore tous les jours á quebec, par L’absence de l’œil du maître, et qu’enfin le gouvernement affecte l’inaction, et fait naitre des l’enteurs, pour m’arracher de mes mains mon triomphe, en M’arrachant les ressources pour l’achêter: Si le congrés, dans le Moment actuel, pouvoit être au fait de cet assemblage de circonstances, d’une part Si critiques, et de l’autre Si favorables pour moi, la Magninimité de Sentimens, qui la toujours distingué dans Sa Marche ne balanceroit pas de me favoriser dans la poursuite de mon oppresseur par Ses générosités mêmes, et bien plus encore par la liquidation d’une dette de justice et d’honneur, contractée depuis un Si long cours d’années, par l’entremise de Ses députés.
Il n’entre pas moins de n’oblesse et délévation dans la façon de penser de Son digne réprésentant, Mr. le docteur franklin, et je Suis fondé á n’en pas attendre des traits moins éclatans de Sa part, Sur tout, S’il á la bonté d’observer en Surplus, que l’ouverture du nouveau parlement, m’entraine dans des démarches nouvelles, qu’une addition de dépenses Seule peut Soutenir. Mais peut-être, que les fonds du congrés, actuellement dans les mains de Vôtre Excellence, ne répondent pas par leur valeur, aux grandes vües de justice et de générosité qui vous animent, et que la liquidation entiere de la dette quoi qu’une pure bagatelle pour un êtat, est actuellement hors de Ses pouvoirs: mais en attendant je récévrois une partie du payement á vôtre choix avec des transports de réconnoissance d’autant mieux fondés, que ce début de justice, en me fournissant des aisances pour mon affaire me Seroit un gage de vôtre protection en m’a faveur. Je ne Saurois me

persuader que le vertueux Ambassadeur du congrés réfuse ce juste Sécours à un infortuné qui á Souffert, et ne Souffre encore que trop injustement pour avoir été Suspecté être l’ami du congrés, et qu’il voulut par ce réfus le réduire á l’impossibilité d’obtenir jamais justice.
J’ai pris la liberté de M’appuyer auprés de vôtre Excellence de la récommandation de Mr. le comte de vergennes, que je Sais être un de Ses illustres amis, autant par inclinations que par l’unité de respectables caracteres: ce grand ministre est le protecteur déclaré de tous les français, Sous quelque climat, que la fortune de la guerre puisse les disperser, vous êtes vous, Monsieur L’Ambassadeur, le défendeur des Américains et de tous ceux qui tiennent á L’amérique par quelque rélation, je Suis né français, et c’est en consideration de l’amérique que je Souffre, voila mes titres á la double protection, et de vôtre Excellence et de Mr. le comte de vergennes, c’est á dire que voila le présage assuré du Succés de mes demandes.
Crainte d’événement contraire Sur la route, je prends la liberté d’addresser á vôtre Excellence un paquet pour Mr. l’ambert, que je charge d’aller á vôtre hotel récévoir vos ordres. J’ose me flatter en concluant, qu’ils me Seront favorables, et qu’aprés avoir commencé par être L’admirateur de Mr. le d’octeur franklin, je finirai par le compter au nombre de mes Bienfaiteurs et de mes protecteurs. Si les intentions de vôtre Excellence pouvoient m’être manifestées, par le canal de Mr. L’ambassadeur de france ce Seroit le comble de la bienfaisance et de l’humanité.—
J’ai l’honneur d’être avec le respect le plus profond Monsieur L’Ambassadeur, De Vôtre Excellence Le trés hûmble et trës ôbéissant Serviteur,

Pierre du Calvet.

Notation: Pierre Du Calvet 20— Juillet 1784—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 22 July 1784
From: Brillon de Jouy, Anne-Louise Boivin d’Hardancourt
To: Franklin, Benjamin

jeudi matin 22 juillet [1784]

Je ne suis point anguille comme le pretend monsieur votre fils mon aimable papa, et j’avois bien le projét decidé d’aller vous voir ce matin, mais mes enfans sont partis plus tard que je ne comptois, ma fille cadétte et moi avons eté plus sottes que je ne croyois, nous étions attristées, préocupées, et tout uniment nous reméttrons a dimanche le plaisir d’aller vous voir; quand a la supposition d’un oubli, ce n’est point un ami comme vous qu’on puisse jamais oubliér un seul instant, mon seul tort est de n’avoir pas envoyé plustost vous dire mon bon papa, que j’étois trop leste ce matin pour aller vous voir, que j’aurai assés d’ésprit samedi pour vous donner a déjeuner et tout celui qu’il faudra dimanche pour vous en aller demander:
Je rouvre ma léttre pour faire réparation a mr votre fils, en relisant la vostre je vois que l’anguille est madame helvétius; si elle glisse elle en est bien la maitresse, mais jamais mon coeur ne vous échapera:

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Benjamin / Franklin / A Passy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 22 July 1784[–6 August 1784]
From: Franklin, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

London July 22d.[–August 6], 1784
Dear and Honoured Father,

Ever since the Termination of the unhappy Contest between Great Britain and America, I have been anxious to write to you,

and to endeavour to revive that affectionate Intercourse and Connexion which till the Commencement of the late Troubles had been the Pride and Happiness of my Life. Uncertain, however, whether the decided and active Part I took in Opposition to the Measures you thought proper to adopt, might not have left some unfavourable Impressions on your Mind; or, if that should not be the Case, whether you might not have some political Reasons for avoiding such Correspondence while you retained your present Employ under the Congress, I was induced to postpone my Intention of writing till I could by some Means or other learn whether your Inclinations were likely to meet my Wishes in that respect. I was, besides, led to expect an Opportunity of a personal Interview from the Accounts I frequently heard from some of your Friends in London, and particularly from a Letter which Temple wrote to Mr. Whitefoord about a Twelvemonth ago, intimating that you had Thoughts of soon returning to America, and would probably visit England in your Way. In that Letter he likewise mentioned that he should have wrote to me, but that he was apprehensive it might, if known, excite Suspicions among some jealous People for whom you acted. This was an additional Motive for my delaying to write, as the Reason he gave why it was improper for him to write to me, operated equally against my writing to you or him, while in your present Situation. There are narrow illiberal Minds in all Parties. In that which I took, and on whose Account I have so much suffered, there have not been wanting some who have insinuated that my Conduct has been founded on Collusion with you, that one of us might succeed which ever Party should prevail. Similar Collusions, they say, were known to have existed between Father and Son during the civil Wars in England and Scotland. The Falsity of such Insinuation in our Case you well know, and I am happy that I can with Confidence appeal not only to you but to my God, that I have uniformly acted from a strong Sense of what I conceived my Duty to my

King, and Regard to my Country, required. If I have been mistaken, I cannot help it. It is an Error of Judgment that the maturest Reflection I am capable of cannot rectify; and I verily believe were the same Circumstances to occur again Tomorrow, my Conduct would be exactly similar to what it was heretofore, notwithstanding the cruel Sufferings, scandalous Neglects, and Ill-treatment which we poor unfortunate Loyalists have in general experienced.— On a Subject so disagreeable I have no Desire to say more, and I hope every thing which has happened relative to it may be mutually forgotten. Encouraged by what passed lately between you, and that good-hearted Man Colonel Wadsworth, I flatter myself that you are actuated by the same Disposition, and that my Advances towards a Renewal of our former affectionate Intercourse will be as acceptable to you as they are agreeable to myself.
It gave me great Pleasure to hear from the Colonel, Mrs. Montgomery, and others, that my Son, who owes so much to you for his Education and other Advantages, has conducted himself to your Satisfaction. The Character given of him by a Variety of Persons who have known him at Paris does him great Credit, and cannot fail to heighthen that natural Affection which always interests me in whatever concerns his Welfare. Please to give my Love to him, and let him know that I wish he would write to me soon, and inform me whether he received a Letter from Mr. Galloway some Months ago, inclosing a Paper

belonging to you, as Mr. G. is uneasy lest it has miscarried.
Now I have broken the Ice, many Things occur which I much want an Opportunity to mention; too many, indeed, for the Limits of a Letter, and some of them respecting private Family Affairs, of a very important Nature, that cannot well be adjusted without a personal Interview. I shall therefore, if you are not likely to be soon in England, be happy to have your Approbation to wait on you at Paris. In the mean Time I beg you to be assured of my constant Prayers for your Health and Happiness, and that I am, as ever, Your very dutiful and affectionate Son

Wm: Franklin

P.S. Augst. 6.— As I knew not whether the Post was a safe Mode of Conveyance of Letters to you, I have postponed sending the above, in hopes of finding a private Hand, but as no one has occurred I have at length determined to send it by this Night’s Mail. If you know of a better Channel of Correspondence you will please to mention it.
Please to direct to me at No. 28 Norton Street, Marylebone, and, if you think it best to put your Letter under Cover to another Person, it may be directed to Thos. Odwin, Esqr., Hylord’s Court, Crutched Friars, London

Benjamin Franklin, Esqr &c. &c. &c

Addressed: Dr. Franklin / &c. &c. &c. / at Passy / near Paris / France / per Post / [Single]


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 22 July 1784
From: Hewson, Mary (Polly) Stevenson
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear Sir
Cheam July 22 1784

I received your packets of the 26th. of April and 14th of June, with the two little books, for which I thank you. They came to me very safe by the post and I do not grudge the postage. The Sepr. Vol. of l’ami des enfans, which completed the set, I also received, but I know not by what conveyance it came to Sutton, whence it was brought to me by one of the men belonging to the Inn there. It was unaccompanied by any line.
If you will order any packet to be sent to Messrs. Antrobus and Seaman, Teamen, opposite Northumberland Street, it will come to me, without fail, the thursday after it arrives there.
I had some hope of taking a little trip to see you this summer, and if I could have so managed it I would have treated all my children with the jaunt, for Mr Viny told me of a person with whom he thought we could go upon easy & convenient terms, but as I have heard no more about it I fear we must give up that pleasure, and prepare for Southamton whither I now think of taking my young ones to bathe, as I believe bathing to be very wholesome, tho’ thank God! their health is so good as not to want mending. The only visible effect I wish for is a little additional height to my son Thomas, who is so much below the common size that I begin to fear he will always remain so. His make

is perfect, tho’ in miniature; I only wish him to reach a size that will not be remarkable, and for that I think it my duty to give him every chance I can. His sister wants no assistance that way, she is as tall as most girls of her age, and tho she does not always hold herself like those who have stays & collars, she is well shaped, and I flatter myself will look as well when grown up. William is a common size, not so thick as when you knew him, yet stout & well made. Mr Gilpin gives me a very good account of both my boys, and I am pleased to find that he reads their different characters. I have been charged with partiality, but, I think, unjustly, for I never see a preference shewn to either without immediately feeling that the other deserves as much. I could bear that one should be the cleverest best boy in the world (except his brother). I could love any one of my children more than the others, if that could be done without loving the others less than that one. That sentence may appear nonsensical, but it is more expressive of my maternal affection than any other I can find.
Being come to the end of my paper I can give you no more of my nonsense, but must conclude with the best proof of my sense that I am with perfect esteem your affectionate

Mary Hewson

I had hopes of sending this by Mr Vonsittart (a son of the Govr who was lost) but he went sooner than I expected. He is a young man of genius & good conduct; is just entred at Oxford after being at the head of Cheam School. If he should by any means be introduced to you, I should be obliged to you for taking such notice of him as will not be inconvenient to you; and place it to my account.

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / á Passy / prés de / Paris
Notation: Mary Hewson July 20 1784.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 22 July 1784
From: Williams, Jonathan Jr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Dear & hond Sir.—
Paris 22 July 1784.

Please to send to Mr Barclay by the return of Colll Franks’s Servant, the two Bundles of Papers relating to the Ship Marquis de la Fayette, which lay on your Table near the Window in the Library, as we have occasion for them to explain some parts of that Business.
I am most respectfully & affectionately Yours.

J Williams J

they are the Papers you intended as materials for a Memoire

Addressed: His Excellency Doctor Franklin.
Notation: Williams 22 Juillet 1784


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, July 26[–c. 15 August 1784]
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Vaughan, Benjamin

Dear Friend,
Passy July 26th.[—c. August 15] 1784.

I have received several Letters from you lately, dated June 16th. June 30, & July 13. I thank you for the Information respecting the Proceedings of your West India Merchants, or rather Planters: The Restraints whatever they may be upon our Commerce with your Islands, will prejudice their Inhabitants, I apprehend, more than us. It is wonderful how preposterously the Affairs of this World are managed. Naturally one would imagine that the Interest of a few Particulars, should give way to general Interest. But Particulars manage their Affairs with so much more Application, Industry and Address, than the Publick do theirs, that general Interest most commonly gives way to particular— We assemble Parliaments and Councils, to have the Benefit of their collected Wisdom, but we necessarily have at the same time the Inconvenience of their collected Passions, Prejudices & private Interests. By the help of these, artful Men overpower the Wisdom, and dupe its Possessors; and if we may judge by the Acts, Arrets, & Edicts all the World over for regulating Commerce, an Assembly of wise Men is the greatest Fool upon Earth.

I have received Cook’s Voyages which you put Mr. Oswald in the way of sending to me. By some Mistake the first Volume was omitted, and instead of it a Duplicate sent of the third. If there is a good Print of Cook, I should be glad to have it, being personally acquainted with him. I thank you for the Pamphlets by Mr. Estlin. Every thing you send me gives me Pleasure, to receive your Account would give me more than all.
I am told that the little Pamphlet of Advice to such as would remove to America, is reprinted in London with my Name to it, which I would rather had been omitted; but wish to see a Copy when you have an Opportunity of sending it—
Mr. H. has long continued here in Expectation of Instructions for making a Treaty of Commerce but they do not come, and I begin to suspect none are intended; tho’ perhaps the Delay is only occasioned by the overgreat Burthen of Business at present on the Shoulders of your Ministers— We do not press the Matter, but are content to wait till they can see their Interest respecting America more clearly: being certain that we can shift as well as you without a Treaty.
The Conjectures I sent you concerning the Cold of last Winter still appear to me probable: the moderate Season in Russia and Canada do not weaken them. I think our Frost here began about the 24th. of December, in America the 12 of Jany.
I thank you for recommending to me Mr. Arbuthnot. I have had Pleasure in his Conversation. I wish much to see the new Pieces you had in hand. I congratulate you on the Return of your Wedding day, and wish for your Sake and Mrs. Vaughan’s that you may see a great many of them, all as happy as the first.
I like the young Stranger very much. He seems sensible, ingenious, & modest, has a good deal of Instruction and makes

Judicious Observations. He will probably distinguish himself advantageously.
I have not yet heard from Mr. Nairne—
Dr. Price’s Pamphlet of Advice to America, is a good one, and will do Good. You ask “what Remedy I have for the growing Luxury of my Country, which gives so much Offence to all English Travellers—without Exception.” I answer that I think it exaggerated, and that Travellers are no good Judges whether our Luxury is growing or diminishing. Our People are hospitable, and have indeed too much Pride in displaying upon their Tables before Strangers the Plenty and Variety that our Country affords. They have the Vanity too of sometimes borrowing one another’s Plate to entertain more splendidly— Strangers being invited from House to House, and meeting every Day with a Feast, imagine what they see is the ordinary Way of living of all the Families where they dine; when perhaps each Family lives a Week after upon the Remains of the Dinner given. It is, I own, a Folly in our People to give such Offence to English Travellers. The first part of the Proverb is thereby verified, That Fools make Feasts. I wish in this Case the other were as true, and wise Men eat them. These Travellers might one would think find some Fault they could more decently reproach us with, than that of our excessive Civility to them as Strangers.
I have not indeed yet thought of a Remedy for Luxury. I am not sure that in a great State it is capable of a Remedy. Nor that

the Evil is in itself always so great as it is represented. Suppose we include in the Definition of Luxury all unnecessary Expence, and then let us consider whether Laws to prevent such Expence are possible to be executed in a great Country; and whether if they could be executed, our People generally would be happier or even richer. Is not the Hope of one day being able to purchase and enjoy Luxuries a great Spur to Labour and Industry? May not Luxury therefore produce more than it consumes, if without such a Spur People would be as they are naturally enough inclined to be, lazy & indolent? To this purpose I remember a Circumstance. The Skipper of a Shallop employed between Cape May and Philadelphia, had done us some small Service for which he refused Pay. My Wife understanding that he had a Daughter, sent her as a Present a new-fashioned Cap. Three Years After, this Skipper being at my House with an old Farmer of Cape May his Passenger, he mentioned the Cap and how much his Daughter had been pleased with it; but says he it proved a dear Cap to our Congregation— How so? When my Daughter appeared in it at Meeting, it was so much admired, that all the Girls resolved to get such Caps from Philadelphia; and my Wife and I computed that the whole could not have cost less than a hundred Pound. True says the Farmer, but you do not tell all the Story; I think the Cap was nevertheless an Advantage to us; for it was the first thing that put our Girls upon Knitting worsted Mittens for Sale at Philadelphia, that they might have wherewithal to buy Caps & Ribbands there; and you know that that Industry has continued and is likely to continue and increase to a much greater Value, and answers better Purposes. Upon the whole I was more reconciled to this little Piece of Luxury; since not only the Girls were made happier by having fine Caps, but the Philadelphians by the Supply of warm Mittens.
In our Commercial Towns upon the Seacoast, Fortunes will occasionally be made. Some of those who grow rich, will be prudent, live within Bounds, & preserve what they have gained for their Posterity. Others fond of showing their Wealth, will be extravagant and ruin themselves. Laws cannot prevent this, and perhaps it is not always an Evil to the Publick. A Shilling spent idly by a Fool, may be picked up by a Wiser Person who

knows better what to do with it. It is therefore not lost. A vain silly Fellow builds a fine House, furnishes it richly, lives in it expensively, and in a few years ruins himself; but the Masons, Carpenters, Smiths and other honest Tradesmen have been by his Employ assisted in maintaining and raising their Families, the Farmer has been paid for his Labour and encouraged, and the Estate is now in better Hands— In some Cases indeed certain Modes of Luxury may be a publick Evil in the same Manner as it is a Private one. If there be a Nation for Instance, that exports its Beef and Linnen to pay for its Importations of Claret and Porter, while a great Part of its People live upon Potatoes and wear no Shirts, wherein does it differ from the Sot who lets his Family starve and sells his Clothes to buy Drink? Our American Commerce is I confess a little in this way. We sell our Victuals to your Islands for Rum and Sugar; the Substantial Necessaries of Life for Superfluities. But we have Plenty and live well nevertheless; tho’ by being soberer we might be richer. By the by, here is just issued an Arret of Council, taking off all the Duties upon the Exportation of Brandies, which it is said will render them cheaper in America than your Rum, in which case there is no doubt but they will be preferred, and we shall be better able to bear your Restrictions on our Commerce. There are Views here by augmenting their Settlements of being able to supply the growing People of North America with the Sugar that may be wanted there. On the whole I guess England will get as little by the Commercial War She has begun with us as she did by the Military. But to return to Luxury.
The vast Quantity of Forest Lands we yet have to clear and put in order for Cultivation, will for a long time keep the Body of our Nation laborious and frugal. Forming an Opinion of our People and their Manners by what is seen among the Inhabitants of the Seaports, is judging from an improper Sample. The People of the Trading Towns may be rich and luxurious, while the Country possesses all the Virtues that tend to private Happiness & publick Prosperity. Those Towns are not much regarded by the Country. They are hardly considered as an essential Part of

the States. And the Experience of the last War has shown, that their being in Possession of the Enemy, did not necessarily draw on the Subjection of the Country, which bravely continued to maintain its Freedom & Independence notwithstanding—
It has been computed by some Political Arithmetician, that if every Man and Woman would work four Hours each Day on something useful, that Labour would produce sufficient to procure all the Necessaries & Comforts of Life, Want and Misery would be banished out of the World, and the rest of the 24 Hours might be Leisure and Pleasure.
What occasions then so much Want & Misery? It is the Employment of Men and Women in Works that produce neither the Necessaries nor Conveniences of Life, who, with those who do nothing, consume the Necessaries raised by the Laborious.— To explain this—
The first Elements of Wealth are obtained by Labour from the Earth and Waters. I have Land and raise Corn. With this if I feed a Family that does nothing, my Corn will be consum’d and at the End of the Year I shall be no richer than I was at the Beginning. But if while I feed them I employ them, some in Spinning others in hewing Timber & sawing Boards, others in making Bricks &c. for Building; the Value of my Corn will be arrested, and remain with me, and at the End of the Year we may all be better clothed and better lodged. And if instead of employing a Man I feed, in making Bricks, I employ him in fiddling for me, the Corn he eats is gone, & no Part of his Manufacture remains to augment the Wealth and the Conveniencies of the Family. I shall therefore be the poorer for this fiddling Man, unless the rest of My Family work more or eat less to make up for the Deficiency he occasions—

Look round the World and see the Millions employ’d in doing nothing, or in something that amounts to nothing when the Necessaries and Conveniencies of Life are in Question. What is the Bulk of Commerce, for which we fight and destroy each other but the Toil of Millions for Superfluities to the great Hazard and Loss of many Lives by the constant Dangers of the Sea. How much Labour Spent in Building and Fitting great Ships to go to China and Arabia for Tea and for Coffee, to the West Indies for Sugar, to America for Tobacco! These Things cannot be called the Necessaries of Life, for our Ancestors lived very comfortably without them.
A Question may be asked, Could all these People now employed in raising, making or carrying Superfluities, be subsisted by raising Necessaries? I think they might. The World is large, and a great Part of it still uncultivated. Many hundred Millions of Acres in Asia, Africa & America, are still Forest, and a great Deal even in Europe. On 100 Acres of this Forest a Man might become a substantial Farmer; and 100,000 Men employed in clearing each his 100 Acres, (instead of being as they are French Hairdressers) would hardly brighten a Spot big enough to be Visible from the Moon, unless with Herschell’s Telescope, so vast are the Regions still in [the] World unimproved.
’Tis however some Comfort to reflect that upon the whole the Quantity of Industry and Prudence among Mankind exceeds the Quantity of Idleness and Folly. Hence the Increase of good Buildings, Farms cultivated, and populous Cities filled with Wealth all over Europe, which a few Ages since were only to be found on the Coasts of the Mediterranean: And this notwithstanding the mad Wars continually raging, by which are often destroyed in one Year the Works of many Years Peace. So that we may hope the Luxury of a few Merchants on the Sea Coast, will not be the Ruin of America.
One Reflection more, and I will end this long rambling Letter.— Almost all the Parts of our Bodies require some Expence. The Feet demand Shoes, the Legs Stockings, the rest of the Body Clothing, and the Belly a good deal of Victuals. Our Eyes, tho’ exceedingly useful, ask when reasonable, only the cheap Assistance of Spectacles, which could not much impair our Finances. But The Eyes of other People are the Eyes that

ruin us. If all but myself were blind, I should want neither fine Clothes, fine Houses nor Fine Furniture.
Adieu, my Dear Friend. I am Yours ever

B Franklin

[In Franklin’s hand:] P.S. This will be deliver’d to you by my Grandson. I am persuaded you will afford him your Civilities & Counsels. Please to accept a little Present of Books I send by him, curious for the Beauty of the Impression.—

B. Vaughan, Esqr.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Harrison, 27 July 1784
From: Harrison, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir,
Virginia Richmond July 27th 1784—

The Assembly of this State have voted a Statue of our late worthy Commander in Chief General Washington, and have directed one side of the Pedestal to be filled with an inscription, the other three with the Dress are left for the exercise of the genius of your humble Servant & his Council, who are all too little acquainted with a business that requires such a refinement of genius & Taste to venture any thing of their own to the Eyes of the critical world,—it was natural therefore for us to look round for the assistance of some of our friends, and we unanimously pitched on yourself and Mr. Jefferson as the most likely to come up to our wishes and the expectations of the Assembly. The friendship you have honored me with gave me the confidence to assure the Gentlemen that they might depend on your complying with the request, and I am sure you will not disappoint me. I have written fully to Mr. Jefferson on the Subject—have enclosed him a Copy of the resolution of Assembly, and

ordered Mr. Peale to send to his address a full length Picture of the General & have requested the favor of him to confer with you on the whole of this business.
I have had the pleasure of Several of your recommendations and have on every occasion paid that attention to them you had so good a right to expect. If in this or any other way I can be of use to you, you’l please to command me for be assured nothing will make me happier than to have it in my power to render you service.
I have the honor to be with the most perfect respect & Esteem Dear Sir Your most obedient & Most humble Servant

Benja Harrison


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from David Hartley, 27 July 1784
From: Hartley, David
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Dear friend
Rue Caumartin July 27 1784

I have thought it a long while that my Confinement has prevented my seeing you. I was in hopes to have had the pleasure of seeing you to day, but I was indiscreet in going out the night before last, wch has encreased the pain & swelling of my foot. My foot is again rather better than it was yesterday, but I am afraid to venture out to day. I hope still to see you on Thursday.— I received no letters by the messenger of last night from the Secretary of State, but I understand that the report of the privy council & other documents respecting American trade are

laid before Parliament. I presume therefore that that Subject will soon be taken into Consideration.
Yours most affecly

D H
To Dr Franklin &c &c &c


Title: Editorial Note on the Consular Convention between France and the United States, 29 July 1784
From:
To:

The consular convention that Franklin and Vergennes signed on July 29, 1784, was based on the draft they had agreed to the previous December. Castries had initially objected to aspects of that draft convention, but his opposition had subsided by mid-February. There matters lay until May 31, when Franklin, prompted by the American consul, Thomas Barclay, wrote Vergennes that he was eager to sign the articles if there should be no further objections. Vergennes sent a translation of Franklin’s letter to Castries, asking for his views; the latter replied that as Vergennes had supplied no new information, he himself had nothing further to say. When and by whom the changes to the convention described below were introduced is not known. On July 6, Franklin directed his grandson Temple to inquire about the convention during that day’s meeting of foreign ministers at Versailles; the answer came back that the convention was being prepared. On July 29, Franklin himself made the journey to Versailles.

It may have been the first time he had traveled to court since the day the peace treaty was signed.
The final convention differed from the draft in only a few ways. The wording of Articles 4 and 6 was slightly modified. Article 3 was amended to give vice-consuls as well as consuls the power to appoint agents. Article 8 was revised in two respects. Consuls and vice-consuls were permitted to submit to the courts acts and declarations in assessing damages to cargoes in which both French subjects and American citizens had an interest. Moreover, the right to appoint arbitrators in cases in which only one of the parties had an interest was expanded to include consular agents as well as consuls and vice-consuls.
For reasons unknown to Franklin, or to us, the copy of the convention that was initially sent to Congress never arrived. This became clear the following February, when the minister plenipotentiary received a congressional resolution dated December 14, 1784, ordering him not to sign the consular convention if he had not yet done so, and to await further orders. He immediately dispatched a duplicate of the signed convention, puzzled as to why two years of negotiations were being nullified. As he would learn much later, it was John Jay who had written the resolution and Jay who, as secretary for foreign affairs, analyzed the convention when the duplicate arrived. Jay’s report, dated July 4, 1785, objected to many of the articles and accused Franklin of having deviated from his instructions.
While it was clear that Congress would not ratify the convention after Jay’s report, it took Congress over a year to formally approve that report and order Jay to send new instructions to Thomas

Jefferson. On November 14, 1788, Jefferson and Foreign Minister Montmorin signed a much revised consular convention. The U.S. Senate ratified it the following year, just as the turmoil of the revolution in France began to render the convention obsolete.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to the Comte de Mercy-Argenteau, 30 July 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Mercy-Argenteau, Florimond-Claude-Charles, comte de

Sir,
Passy July 30th. 1784

I have the honour to communicate to your Excellency an Extract from the Instructions of Congress to their late Commissioners for treating of Peace, expressing their Desire to cultivate the Friendship of his Imperial Majesty and to enter into a Treaty of Commerce for the mutual Advantage of his Subjects and the Citizens of the United States; which I request you will be pleased to lay before his Majesty. The appointing and instructing Commissioners for Treaties of Commerce with the Powers of Europe generally, has by various Circumstances been long delayed, but is now done; and I have just received Advice that Mr. Jefferson late Governor of Virginia, commissioned with Mr. Adams our Minister in Holland, & myself for that Service, is on his way hither and may be expected by the End of August, when we shall be ready to enter into a Treaty with his Imperial Majesty for the above Purpose, if such should be his Pleasure—
With great and sincere Respect, I am, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servant,

B. Franklin
His Exy. the Count de Mercy &ca. &ca.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Mercy-Argenteau, [30 July 1784]
From: Mercy-Argenteau, Florimond-Claude-Charles, comte de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
[July 30, 1784]

J’ai reçu la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire ce matin, et je ne tarderai pas d’en transmettre le contenu à ma Cour.
Les Sentimens de l’Empereur pour les Etats unis d’Amérique me font prévoir la Satisfaction, que Sa Majesté aura d’entrer avec eux dans des liaisons reciproquement convenables et utiles; je ne doute pas qu’il ne soit pris incessamment á cet egard les mesures nécessaires pour se concerter avec vous, Mr. et avec Mrs. les Ministres Plénipotentiaires designés, et aussitot que la réponse de ma Cour me sera parvenue je m’empresserai à vous la communiquer.
J’ai l’hr. d’etre avec le plus parfait et sincere attachement.

à m. Francklin Ministre plénipotentiaire des Etats unis d’amérique à la Cour de france en date de Paris le 30. Juillet 1784. Expe.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Etienne-Alexandre-Jacques Anisson-Duperon, dit Anisson fils, 31 July 1784
From: Anisson-Duperon, Etienne-Alexandre-Jacques
To: Franklin, Benjamin

A Paris le 31 Juillet 1784.

M. Anisson a l’honneur d’assurer de ses devoirs Monsieur Franklin. Il est bien fâché de ne pas s’être trouvé chez lui, lorsque

M. son fils lui a fait l’honneur d’y passer de sa part; mais il etoit a faire un voyage dont il est revenu hier au soir. Il aura le plus grand empressement d’offrir à Monsieur franklin l’exemplaire qu’il desire, de son ouvrage auquel il fait peut-être trop d’honneur.
M. Anisson desirant en conférer avec Monsieur franklin, il le prie de lui faire savoir le jour et l’heure où il pourra avoir l’honneur de le rencontrer chez lui. Il lui portera lui-même un exemplaire pour lequel il fait faire des dessins sur ceux qui servent à la gravure dont il n’a pu encore voir une seule épreuve./

M. Anisson fils, Directeur de L’Imprimerie Royale demeure Rue des orties du Louvre, au coin de la rue du Doyenné./.

Notation: Anison 31 Juillet 1784


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Beyer, 1 August 1784
From: Beyer, ——
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur
ce 1 Aout [1784]

Une indisposition m’ayant empeché de vaquer a mes affaires depuis 8 a 10 jours Je n’ai pas pû m’occuper du portefeuil ni de mon instrument etant obligé de garder la chambre mais jespere que les premiers Jours de la Semaine le tous poura âitre fini j’aurai lhonneur de vous en faire part aussitot que Sa Sera pret.
J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec un profond respet Monsieur votre tres humble Et tres obeissent Serviteur

Beyer

Notation: Beyer


Title: Matthew Ridley to William Temple Franklin, 1 August 1784
From: Ridley, Matthew
To: Franklin, William Temple

Dear Sir
Paris August the 1st. 1784—

You will oblige me by getting an Order from the Minister to let my Baggage pass a Note of which you have underneath & also for the Furniture I propose sending to America—
I shall have the pleasure of seeing you on Wednesday.—Capt: Hughes a Relation of mine is with me, if agreeable I propose bringing him; but should you wish it not so, or that there will be any impropriety in it be free enough to let me know by a Line.— With best wishes I am Dear Sir Yr. Obed hble sert

Matt: Ridley


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 2 August 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Price, Richard

My dear Friend,
Passy, Augt. 2. 1784.

I received your Favour of the 12th past with the Pamphlet of Advice to the Americans, for which I thank you much; it is excellent in itself, and will do us a great deal of Good. I communicated

immediately to Mr Dupont the Letter of Mr Turgot, thinking him the properest Person to consult on the Subject, as he has the Care of the Papers left by that great Man. He sent me thereupon the Note enclos’d dated July 26. and this Day brought me the Proof corrected, which I enclose; and gave me his Opinion that the whole Letter may well be printed, even with the manuscript part at the End, you only adding a Note to the purpose of what he has written. He only desires two small Omissions, which are mark’d and the Place of the words omitted to be fill’d with Points or Stars, to show that something is omitted. It will be well to send him if you please a few Copies, & I wish to have two or three myself.
M. Dupont waits while I write, so that I cannot enlarge. I receiv’d the former Letter you mention, and purpose writing to you soon. My best Respects to Mrs Price, & believe me ever, with sincere and great Esteem, Dear Sir, Your most obedient humble Servt.

B Franklin
Revd Dr Price


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Dumas, 2 August 1784
From: Dumas, Charles-Guillaume-Frédéric
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur,
Lahaie 2e. Aout 1784.

Ce paquet parviendra à V. E. dans celui de M. le Cte. de Vergennes, par le Courier qui porte à Mrs. les Plénipo: Hollandois la magnifique Epée destinée à Mr. De Suffren.
J’espere que V. E. trouvera l’incluse pour le Congrès très-interessante, & digne par son importance de lui être promptement acheminée; ainsi que celle a Mr. Van Berckel, qui lui fera grand plaisir par la même raison. Après la révolution Américaine, le plus grand évenement, par les suites qu’il aura, c’est l’Alliance prête a se conclure entre la Fce. & la Rep. des Pays-Bas Unis. C’est ce qu’il me seroit aisé de prouver, si le daisépart du Courier ne m’imposoit la naisécessitaisé de couper court, en me disant avec grand respect, De Votre Excellence Le traisès-humble & très-obeissant serviteur

C. W. F. Dumas
Paris à Son Excellence Mr. Franklin M.P.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 2 August 1784
From: Jones, John Paul
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Paris Augt. the 2d. 1784

Mr Paul Jones has the Honor to accept Doctor Franklin’s kind Invitation for Dinner on Wednesday the 4th. Instant

Addressed: A son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin Ministre / Plenipotentiere des Etâts-Unis / en son Hotêl à Passy / près Paris.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Sears & Smith, 4 August 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Sears & Smith

Gentlemen
Passy, Aug. 4. 1784.

Upon Receipt of yours relating to your Cargo of Slaves at Martinico, I endeavour’d to inform myself what was the Law in such Cases, and I found that by an Arrét du Conseil d’Etat du Roi, of the 28th of June 1783, there is a Duty laid of 100 Livres per head on all Negroes imported in foreign Ships, and this Duty is granted and is to be paid as a Premium to the French Importers of Negroes, as an Encouragement to their own African Trade. Under these Circumstances I am advis’d, that it cannot be expected that general national Law should be set aside in favour of a particular foreign Ship, especially as the King, if he forgives the Duty to the Stranger, must thereby do Injustice to his own Subjects to whom he had promised the Pardon of that Duty, unless he pays it to them out of his own Money, which one cannot decently request him to do. I do not therefore see any Possibility of your avoiding the Payment. I have the Honour to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedient & most humble Servant

B. Franklin
Messrs Sears and Smith.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Charles-Pierre Lenoir, 4 August 1784
From: Lenoir, Jean-Charles-Pierre
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Ce 4. août 1784

J’ai L’honneur de vous envoyer, Monsieur, la permission, que vous desirez, pour que Le paquet de livres et gravures arrivé d’angleterre à votre adresse, Soit delivrarrivé à la douane à la personne Chargarrivée de le retirer, Sans passer à la chambre Syndicale.
J’ai L’honneur d’être avec un respectueux attachement, Monsieur, votre très humble et très obeissant serviteur.

Lenoir
M franklin.

Notation: Le Noir 4 août 1784


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 6 August 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Adams, John

Sir,
Passy, Aug. 6. 1784.

Mr Bingham sent me last Night from Paris, your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th past, inclosing a Copy of one from Mr Jefferson. I had before sent you a Copy of one from the same to me, which I hope you receiv’d. I enclose herewith Copies of a Letter from Mr Thomson, some new Instructions, and one of the Commissions; the other two are in the same Words, except

that instead of the Words [the United Netherlands] there is, in one, France, and in the other, Sweden. These came by M. de la Luzerne, but it was not before Wednesday last that I receiv’d them. You will see that a good deal of Business is cut out for us, Treaties to be made with I think twenty Powers, in two Years, so that we are not likely to eat the Bread of Idleness; and that we may not surfeit by eating too much, our Masters have diminish’d our Allowance. I commend their Oeconomy, and shall imitate it by diminishing my Expence. Our too liberal Entertainment of our Countrymen here has been reported at home by our Guests to our Disadvantage, and has given Offence. They must be contented for the future, as I am, with plain Beef and Pudding.— The Readers of Connecticut Newspapers ought not to be troubled with any more Accounts of our Extravagance. For my own part, if I could sit down to Dinner on a Piece of their excellent Salt Pork and Pumpkin, I would not give a Farthing for all the Luxuries of Paris.
I am glad to hear that your Family are safely arrived at London, and that you propose to bring them here with you. Your Life will be more comfortable.—

I thank you much for the Translation of Abbé Mably’s Letters. The French Edition is not yet publish’d here. I have as yet only had time to run over the Translator’s Preface, which seems well-written. I imagine Mr Sowdon to be a Presbyterian Minister, as I formerly corresponded with one of that Name in Holland, who I suppose might be his Father.— I have not seen the Piece you mention of a B——n Academician.— I should not object to his Enjoyment of the Discovery he has made that Despotism is the best possible Form of Government, by his living under it as long as he pleases: For I admire the Decision of his Prince in a similar Case, the Dispute among his Clergy concerning the Duration of Hell Torments.
With great Respect I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servant

B. Franklin
His Excellency John Adams, Esqr

Endorsed: Dr Franklin Aug. 6. 1784


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to the Regents of the University of the State of New York, 9 August 1784
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Regents of the University of the State of New York

Gentlemen,
Passy Augt. 9th. 1784

I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me by Lieut. Col. Clarkson, respecting the Purpose of his Mission, viz Soliciting Donations in Europe for the University of the State of New York. Yours is the fourth American Seminary

that since the Peace has sent Persons hither, or empower’d Persons here to make such Solicitations, all of which I have declined being concern’d in; tho’ I should certainly be exceedingly glad if I could by any proper Means be serviceable to the Interests of Learning in our Country. The Letter I wrote to Dr. Witherspoon on the Subject, (of which I enclose a Copy) will show the Reasons I then had for not encouraging his Application here for Benefactions to the College of New Jersey. The Necessity we still are under for Credit in Europe where we have Loans opened, the Success of which may be hurt by Declarations of Poverty, (the only excuse for Mendicity) make this Mode of procuring Money at this Time exceedingly improper: as do also the Orders just received by your Ministers to offer Treaties to twenty different European Powers, with whom it is fit we should stand in as respectable a Light as possible, and not appear a Nation that is either unable or unwilling to support among ourselves the common Expence of Education. I am making a large Collection of such French Books as I think may be serviceable in America, where I hope that Language, which contains abundance of useful Learning, will be more and more cultivated. I intend a Part of these Books as a Present to your University, and shall be glad of any Opportunity of promoting its Interests & Prosperity: but in the Mode proposed I hope you will excuse my not acting with Mr. Clarkson, to whom the only Advice I can give is, not to attempt here any such Solicitation.

With great Respect, I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedient & most humble Servant

B. Franklin
To The Regents of the University of New York.

Endorsed: 9 Augt. 1784. Benjn. Franklin


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Cain, Mark Collins, and William Jones, 9 August 1784
From: Cain, Alexander,Collins, Mark,Jones, William
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir,
L’Orient 9. August 1784.

We take The Liberty To address your Excellency on a Subject extremely interesting to us & many other persons concern’d in The Trade between This kingdom & The united states of america, The extention or diminution of which we will venture To Say depends in a great degree on your Excellency’s answer.
For some Time before we left America it was currently reported & Even publish’d in most of The News papers That The Town & port of L’orient were to be declar’d free. Many private Letters from very respectable Persons in This Country, who said They had good authority for what They wrote, announc’d The same, & gave Their Correspondents The strongest assurances That on The arrival of Their Ships here They would find Magazines establish’d of all kinds of goods suitable for The different American Markets. Many of The most considerable Merchants in Philadelphia & Elsewhere in The united States, who had constantly Traded with This kingdom during The late war (and who would have Still continued To do So, had not The extreme Scarcity & high Price of almost every article of The Manufactures of This kingdom, & The Little demand They found for american Produce, oblig’d Them To Turn Their Views Elsewhere) were induc’d by These prospects To Try once more if it was possible to Establish a commercial Connection with This kingdom as advantageous as That which They carried on with England, Holland &a., & The Vessels which we command Together with Several others expected daily, were Sent To This Port rather Than to London or Amsterdam for The above reasons. The Prospect of a good return freight, which The freedom flatter’d us with, was another strong Inducement. On our arrival here, we found That agreable To what was publish’d in America before our departure This Town & Port had in reality been declar’d free by an Edict dated The 14th. of May, but were greatly surpris’d & disappointed To find That by a second Edict The freedom was restrain’d To The

Port alone, & even That under such restrictions as appear To us altogether incompatible with a free port, & which cause us more Trouble Than we experienc’d formerly, because The freedom does not extend to The Road, where for many reasons we often prefer loading our Vessels. We have been likewise greatly disappointed in not finding Such magazines of goods as we were given reason to Expect, & when we demand The cause of This, The Merchants & Shop keepers answer us That They countermanded Their orders to The manufacturers on finding That The Edict of The 14th. of May was not allow’d to Take place, because They did not expect any considerable demands. Thus we find it impossible To get any returns That will answer for The little adventures we brought with us, for we have not Time to write To The Manufactures, besides we always choose to See the goods before we purchase Them, & we shall be oblig’d to return with our Ships in Ballast & a Small quantity of Brandy to The Ports from Whence we came; for we have not discretionary orders, whilst Those Vessels which went To London will find Suitable goods in return for the proceeds of their Cargoes, besides valuable freights back to America. But for This Voyage The Evil is without remedy, & to Complain of our present Loss & that which our Owners may Sustain, is not our principal motive for Troubling your Excellency. Many people flatter us That The Edict of The 14th. May is only Suspended for a short Time, & That This Town, Port & Road will again be declar’d To all intents & purposes free The same as dunkirk. As The St. James & Eagle will Sail for Philadelphia in about a fortnight, we would wish To know from your Excellency, before they depart, how far we can depend on These assurances, & what we may venture To report To our fellow-citizens, when we arrive; for altho’

The late change in publick measures may in Some degree damp The Spirits of Those That wish well to The Commerce of This kingdom & be cause of Triumph To The few remaining friends of great Britain, yet we are of opinion That, was The Trade Entirely free, a very great number of our Vessels would be induc’d To visit This port next season. Indeed we would always give it The preference in The fall & winter months, because There is no danger of beeing frozen up, as sometimes happens at London, Amsterdam, &a.
Should your Excellency have any Letters or packets for America, you may depend on our utmost Care of Them. We have The honor To remain with great respect, Your Excellency’s most obedient & Very humble Servants

Alexr. Cain Commander of the Ship St. JamesMark Collins comander of the Ship Heer AdamsWm. Jones. Commd. of the Eagle
His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr. (Paris)