Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Benezet, 5 May 1783
From: Benezet, Anthony
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Friend Benjn. Franklin
Philad 5 mo. 5th. 1783
A good oppertunity offering, by a french Gentleman who offers to take a letter to thee my kind Friend, I make use of it affectionately to salute thee, wishing that the best of comforts, indeed the only comfort worthy the notice of a rational mind; the recollection of having done the best in our power for the true welfare of mankind, in the promotion of Virtue & mutual love amongst men, may be abundantly thy portion.
Inclose I send thee a petition from Francis Geay, whose case I believe thou art not unacquainted with, as the first account of his becoming heir to his estate, was transmitted, thro’ thee, by letters to James Lovel then agent for foreign affairs; I have wrote many letters & sent several powers of attorney to his Relation Mr. Garos, Conseillier du Roy, at Fontenay le vicomte in Poitou: but still a difficulty remains, his relations & heirs, who are many not being willing to admit his heirship on account of his having deserted from the french service, where he served during thirteen years. He is between 60 & 70 years old, extreemly poor, & has been three times in the hospital, being dissordered in his senses, as its thought from the effect of a cut he received on the head at the battle of Dettinguen. M Barclay the agent for the Congress, in France has been applied to by Mr Livingston, now agent for foreign affairs. It was M Deponseau, M Livingston’s secretary drew the inclosed petition. I dont doubt thy kind interposition in the poor fellow’s favour. I intent to make a petition of the like import to the Chevalier de la Lucern the french Minister. We should have promoted his going over to France, but his wife cannot as yet be brought to consent. I also send thee a small Collection on the Plainness & Innocent Simplicity of the Christn. Religion of which I request thy most serious perusal, when I am persuaded thou wilt agree with me, that the contents is worthy the most serious consideration, being such as is most likely to calm those aggitations of mind, which the viscituds which attend human life often occasion; the Indians mentioned at page 5. were our old friends, the moravian Indians formerly settled at Weehelusing, they were taken to Sandusky at the Wt. end of lake Ery, from whence the Wiandot King permitted them to return to their Home for corn, which they had left in great abundance; Our back inhabitants hearing of their return fell upon them, as thou remembers they did at Lancaster formerly, & murdered Ninety Six Men women & children who, after some time of prayer & siging hyms, quietly yielded to the knife & hatchet. A plain instance that we are not at home, but only as pilgrims & strangers in this world canditats for a better as the greatest innocency & good will to men which was the case of these indiens, cannot protect us. Indeed the grievous effects of War, both with respect to the depravity of manners as well as the dreadful destruction it occasions, as particularly described in that of the last German War, as mentioned page 10 cannot but strike every considerate mind with horror, & is an amazing instance of the folly & dreadful corruption of the human heart as my country man de Voltaire denominates it War page 20th. “Those legal murders which our abominable nature has made so necessary,” how will this compare in that awful period when all appearances must give way to reality with the meek the loving disposition, so clearly enjoined us in the Gospel; which it appears the weldisposed amongst the ancient Heathens (so called) had a prospect of, as Numa Pumpilius page 23 furnishes us a striking instance of, arising doubtless from his belief, in & trust of the goodness of that power which rulled the World the great dispenser of all events, whose special providence as Plutarch, (tho’ also called a heathen) well remarks was displayed in favour of Numa, so as to serve for a proof of what God in his mercy & love can do, in causing virtue to triumph over vice. But the passions & lusts of Men, from whence, as the Apostle remarks, Wars proceed, have so far got the mastery as to overlay & silence that pure principle of truth, which God has dispensed to all Men & strongly drives people in the practice of what will rather satisfy their passions &c than what would be conducive to the real happiness of their fellow-men. This is the root of that unreasonable & irreligious assertion so common in the mouth of Politicians, that there is no other way to preserve the liberty & happiness of mankind by any other means but that horrid destruction & corruption which War occasions; which is charging the power justice & love of the compassionate & benevolent father of mankind, who under the Gospel Dispensation is denominated under the appelation of Love. God is love, says the Apostle, & those who dwell in God they dwell in love. Happy if the Rulers & others would endeavour to imitate Numa & did by precept & example, inculcate in the people the true spirit of piety that fear of God & confidence in his goodness; that moderation & industry which was so eminently blessed in him. I have in prospect to make a translation of some part of this collection, if possible to rouse, in some of my country men, a consideration wherein true nobility consists, in opposition to that false prejudice so common amongst them, of slighting Labour & improvement in arts &c to pursue an empty notion of heroism, which leads them to the neglect that true happiness & improvemt in virtue to be met with, only in social life, to seek after an imaginary & mad notion of gaining honour, or as we have of late so often heared it, publickly expressed immortal fame in warlike atchivements: as vain a fanthom as ever danced before a mad man’s eye.
After teaching the youth in this city, near forty years, I have solicited & obtained the office of teacher of the Black Children & others of that people, an employment which tho’ not attended with so great pecuniary advantages as others might be, yet affords me much satisfaction. I know no station of life I should prefere before it. Indeed my kind friend the object of Slavery is still an object worthy the deepest consideration, of a philosophic mind. Its sorrowfully astonishing that after the declarations so strongly & clearly made of the value & right of liberty on this continent, no state but that of Pennsylvania, & that imperfectly, have yet taken a step towards a total abolition of Slavery. I am at the point of publishing a small representation on the necessity of the Americans taking this important subject under the most serious consideration to put in the hands of the leading members of every state, introductory to some deep remarks of the Abbe Raynall on that important subject; of these I will send thee a number. Might it not be profitably intimated to the leading people with you, the honour as well as the divine blessing which might be expected to attend them as a nation, if they would shew the example to the other European Nations, in putting an end to the infamous traffick of Slaves; a traffick so infamous & cruel in all its parts, that as the abbe Raynal well remarks it is a dishonour to reason even to endeavour to refute a practice so repugnant to all its dictates. The argument that the culture of their southern settlements cannot be carried on if that traffick ceases is as wicked as it is futile. Surely the number of Black people in their Islands & American Settlements with their offspring which would soon be large if due encouragement was given them would be sufficient to carry on their business. I should be glad if thou wouldst return & spend the remainder of thy time in retirement & quiet amongst thy old friends, when we might confer upon those weighty matters which can scarce be done by writing, matters quite different from those which the votaries of this world pursue either in pleasure or that foolish fanthom called fame arising either from knowledge or war: such as are indeed worthy the consideration of immortal spirits created for purity & happiness. With the best love I am capable of I remain in great haste thy affectionate friend
Anthony Benezet

Notation: Anthoy. Benezett. 1783


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper: Extract, [5 May 1783]
From: Cooper, Samuel
To: Franklin, Benjamin

  [May 5, 1783]
  Extract of a Letter from Dr. Cooper to B. Franklin Esqr, Dated Boston May 5th. 1782.—

—“There is a Party among us disposed to avail themselves of every Incident, and of all personal Resentments to weaken and divide our public Counsils, and injure the Alliance. Regard to the general Good, as well as private, and the most constant Friendship oblige me to state Things as they are. It is then confidently whispered among us that Letters have been received from Paris, both in this State and at Philadelphia, which mention, that the Court of France was at Bottom against our obtaining the Fishery and Territory in that great Extent, in which both are secured to us by the Treaty. That our Minister at that Court favoured, or did not oppose this Design against us; and that it was entirely owing to the Firmness, Sagacity & Disinterestedness of M. Adams, with whom Mr. Jay united, that we have obtained those important Advantages. I have not seen any of these Letters, and am considered I suppose as too much attach’d to the Alliance with France, and that American Minister who so happily negociated it, to be trusted with such a Communication: they are said, however to come from some of our Plenipotentiaries at Paris, and particularly from Mr. Adams, a Gentleman against whom I never was prejudiced, having had a long Friendship and Respect for him. It is certain some of his particular Friends here have believed and propagated these Reports, as they say, upon the best Authority. It has also been said from the same Quarter that the Court of France secretly traversed M. A.s Views in Holland, for obtaining of the United Provinces an acknowledgment of our Independence; and that the same Part has been acted in Spain and Russia. All these Things are incredible to me, And tho’ they make some Impression at present, Truth is great and will prevail. Care I hope will be taken both at Congress and in Europe, as far as public Prudence will permit, to state, as soon as may be, these Matters in a Just Light, and to prevent the public Mischiefs as well as private Injuries that may arise from Misrepresentations in Matters of such Moment. For myself, I stand and speak and act upon my old Ground, our Independence supported and deffended by the Friendship of France; and they who take the fairest and most effectual Measures to cultivate this Friendship, are most my Friends as being friendly to my Country. If through Ingratitude, Folly, Personal Piques, or Treachery, we loose so generous, so powerful, so faitful, and in our present Situation so natural a Friend as the King of France, we fall, and deservedly, into Contempt and Ruin. But I am persuaded there is good Sense and Virtue enough in the Government and People of America to prevent so shameful a Fall.
Mr. Adams wrote to Congress on Decr. 3.—resigning his Employments in Europe; but has intimated in a subsequent Letter his Readiness to continue them, should he be appointed Minister to the Court of London: Congress has not fill’d that Department that we have heard.”—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from George Fox, [5 May 1783]
From: Fox, George
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monday Eveng. [May 5, 1783]
Mr. Fox’s most respectful compliments wait upon Dr. Franklin—takes the Liberty of informing him that he leaves Paris for Nantes on Thursday, and will do himself the honor of waiting upon him on the morning of that day to take his leave, & to request to be favored with his Commands for America, for which place he intends to embark in the Hannibal Capt Cunningham.

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin / Ministre Plenipotentiaire des / Etats Unis de l’Amerique / en son Hotel / a Passy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Philippe-Denis Pierres, 5 May 1783
From: Pierres, Philippe-Denis
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur,
Paris 5 May 1783
J’ai l’honneur de vous adresser les 300 Exemplaires de L’Explication de la médaille, ainsi que le reste des feuilles qui Complettent les Constitutions.
Je me propose, Monsieur, d’avoir l’honneur de vous voir Mercredi, au Cas que vous soyez libre.
Je suis avec autant d’attachement que de respect, Monsieur, Votre très humble & très obeissant serviteur
Pierres
Je prie Monsieur Votre fils d’agréer mes très humbles Civilités.


Title: Matthew Ridley to the American Peace Commissioners, [before 6 May? 1783]
From: Ridley, Matthew
To: American Peace Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Adams, John,Jay, John,Laurens, Henry

Honble Sirs
Paris Sunday Evening [before May 6, 1783?]
On my return from Versailles I found a Letter from my Friend Mr. Joshua Johnson at Nantes covering the Inclosed Extract of a Letter from Mr S Chase & sent him by his Brother the Governor of Maryland— Mr. J. Johnson desires me to communicate the Intelligence it contains to you & also to the Ministers of the French Court—it being probably the only authentic hitherto received— The latter part of Mr. Johnson’s request I must beg of you too, if you think it necessary.
I shall be much obliged to you to return me the Extract as I have not taken time to Copy it. I am respectfully Gentn Your most Obedient & most humble Servant
Mattw. Ridley

Mr. Johnson desires me to ask Dr. Franklin if he has rec’d any Letters from Mr Carroll covering others for him

Addressed: The Honble Commissioners / of the United States of / America
Endorsed by John Adams: Mr Ridley. [Added by William Temple Franklin:] Note from


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from George Whatley, 6 May 1783
From: Whatley, George
To: Franklin, Benjamin

London 6 May 1783
’Tis but lately My good old Friend that a Marylander lent, & on his Departure gave me, a Collection of Pieces, Political, Miscellaneous &ca. said to be all Yours. I had never seen, or heard of it. With great Pleasure I perus’d it; & it was enhanced by my finding the Notes, understood to be all Yours, as printed in the Second Edition of my Principles of Trade. My Vanity is much flatter’d, as the Notes, from you, must sanctify my Work; & peradventure be an Inducement for it to be sought for.
I have the comfortable Vanity to find my Dedication, to the Second Edition, with only one Word States for Kingdoms will do for your most noble NOW great Country
“To all those who have the welfare & Prosperity of these States at Heart, the following Essay, containing, we hope, useful & uncontrovertible Principles on the Subject treated of, is very heartily, & afectionately inscribed.”
So let them have it, if You please, as from a Citizen of the World.
The Text by the Notes is made yours as well as mine. Your Rulers have now full Elbow Room. Let all their Ports, be free Ports, to the utmost Extent, & leave to Wiseacres to make Rules & Regulations.
My Namesake Maddison must see you. He will be able to satisfy you of common Occurences; so it will not take up, your, or my time; any farther than that some months since my poor Dear Woman, worn out with the Rheumatism to a Skeleton, left me. Pulvis & umbra sumus. I feel old Age coming; but can yet do without Spectacles.
I have been now going 5 Years Treasurer of my favorite Charity, the Foundling. It is of very little use, being so crampt as it is. I wish it otherwise. Some of my Brethren Governors are so extreamly narrow-Minded, because our Finances are very low, that lately they have restricted one half the Number of Children to be taken in annually, from 120 to 60. I tell them if they spend every farthing we have, I think I can get you to take all the Children. I am laugh’d at for this Idea; but I go farther & Say you will buy them.
God bless you, & may you live as long as you like, in all Health & Happiness! is the Sincere Wish of Dear Sir Your Excellent Excellencys most afectionately devoted.
George Whatley.

Addressed: His Excellency / Benjn. Franklin / Esqr &ca &ca &ca. / Paris


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Gérard de Rayneval, 7 May 1783
From: Gérard de Rayneval, Joseph-Mathias
To: Franklin, Benjamin

à Versailles ce mercredy 7. may 1783.
Mr. de Rayneval à l’honneur de prévenir Monsieur franklin, qu’il Se presentera chez-lui demain avant diner pour l’entretenir sur différents objets; il renouvelle en attendant à Monsieur franklin les assûrances de son inviolable attachement.

Endorsed: Note M. de Raynevall May 7. 83


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from La Rochefoucauld, 7 April [i.e., May] 1783
From: La Rochefoucauld, Louis-Alexandre, duc de La Roche-Guyon et de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Mercredi 7. Avril [i.e., May, 1783]
Le Duc de la Rochefoucauld a l’honneur de faire Ses complimens à Monsieur franklyn, et de lui envoier un projet de lettre à M. le Garde des sceaux; il ne l’a pas terminée parce qu’il ignore le protocole des fins de lettre pour les Ministres Etrangers avec ce Ministre qui en a un particulier avec les Nationaux; il aura l’honneur d’aller chercher Monsieur franklyn aussitôt qu’il le pourra.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Sarah Bache, 8 May 1783
From: Bache, Sarah Franklin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My dear Sir
Philad May 8. 1783
I cannot let Coll Cambray go without a line to you tho I sit up to write in bed— I have had a fit of the Bilious Cholic that lasted twenty four hours, it went off yesterday but has left me very weak and with a bad head ake, I hope a good nights sleep will quite restore me, and then I shall be able to write you a long letter by Mr Oster who goes in a day or two— Mr Bache went to Mr Kidds the day before yesteday just before I was taken and would have been home to night but for the rain, I never missed him more as he is realy the best nurse in the World. Little Deby is in the height of the Measles. She has it heavily, but I am in great hopes will do well, the rest have all had it and are well and hearty—we are sorry to part with Coll Cambray who is universaly liked here, both as a Soldier and a Gentleman, he flatters us that he shall return and live in America, I was sorry I could not see him this evening, having not learn’d as much of the French fashion as to see a Gentleman when I was in bed, I feel myself better than when first I took my pen in hand. I was thinking at first to make Will to write for me excuse this paper it was all that I had this evening—
I am as ever Your Dutiful Daughter
S Bache

Addressed: Dr. Franklin / Coll Cambray


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Robert R. Livingston, 9 May 1783
From: Livingston, Robert R.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir,
Philadelphia 9th. May 1783
We have yet had no information from you subsequent to the signature of the Preliminary Articles by France, Spain and Britain, tho’ we have seen a declaration for the cessation of Hostilities signed by you, Mr. Adams, and Mr Jay— We grow every day more anxious for the definitive Treaty, since we have as yet discovered no inclination in the Enemy to evacuate their Posts—and in sending off the Slaves they have directly infringed the provisional Treaty, tho’ we on our part have paid the strictest regard to it— This will be more fully explained by the enclosed Copy of a Letter from General Washington containing a relation of what passed between him and General Carleton at a late interview— let me again intreat that no doubt may be left in the Treaty relative to the time and manner of evacuating their Posts here— Without more precision and accuracy in this, than we find in the provisional Articles, we shall soon be involved in new disputes with Great Britain—
Our Finances are still greatly embarrassed—you may in part see our distress, and the means Congress are using to releive themselves from them, by the enclosed Pamplet, which I wish you and your Colleagues to read but not to publish—

The enclosed Resolution imposes a new task upon you, I hope you will find no great difficulty in procuring the small augmentation to the Loan, which it requires—be assured that it is extremely necessary to sett us down in Peace—
None of the States tho’ frequently called upon have sent me the Estimates of their losses by the Ravages of the British, except Connecticut and Rhode Island, and their Accounts are extremely imperfect, such as they are I enclose them; For my own part I have no great expectation, that any compensation for these losses will be procured, however if possible it should be attempted— Commissioners might be appointed to assertain them here—great part of the Prisoners are on their way to New York, and the whole will be sent in a few days— they will amount to about six thousand Men— Our Ports begin to be crouded with Vessels, there is reason to fear that a superabundance of foreign Articles will in the end produce as much disstress as the want of them has heretofore occasioned—
I have the honor to be—sir, with great Respect and Esteem your most obedt humble servant,
R R Livingston
Honble Benj: FranklinNo, 27.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Potts, 9 May 1783
From: Potts, Samuel
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Dr Sir
Genl Post Office May 9th. 1783
I should have acknowledged sooner the receipt of your letter of the 24 March but I have been in the Country for some time past and therefore did not receive it till a few days since, I understand the News Papers have been regularly sent to you and in this, and all other occasions I shall be happy to obey your commands. I trust you will not deem these only words of course, they flow from a very sincere and affectionate regard towards you and the intercourse we have had for many years will I flatter myself have proved the warmth of my friendship.
I have a matter in hand that I wish to take your opinion upon—in the year 1775 Mr. Antill came to England and whilst he was here he borrowed of the two Mr. Foremans of the Office of Ordnance myself and my Brother the sum of Three Thousand Pounds which was to purchace a place in Philadelphia, which Mr. Morgan then held, from that time we have never heard anything towards paying the principle much less the Interest, and I therefore wish to know if you can be of service to us in any application to Congress. I have a mortgage of his which runs in this form. “Doth bargained sell and confirm to S. P. &c a certain Tract or parcel of Land containing Eight Thousand Acres in the county of Gloucester also one other Tract in the County of Albany also another Tract in the County of Charlotte in the province of New York and all other Tracts &c to hold &c”—and further recites, “that being willing to give every other security for the payment of the money with Interest as aforesaid doth bargain, transfer &c all his personal effects Bonds, Notes, Book Debts and any sums of money due to him towards discharging the sums due to Messrs. Foreman, Potts &c and gives them full power to sue for the same”—having thus given you the heads of the Mortgage I wish to have your opinion whether Congress will allow us to take possession of the Tracts, if you think the lands thus situated are worth our attention and whether you think [torn: it would(?)] answer any good purpose to put the Bonds(?) in force and if you can Aid and Assist us in this matter.
I beg your pardon for giving you this trouble but its of consequence to us and I hope you will excuse it.
Mrs. Potts and my Brother joins with me in best Compts. and beleive me to be Dr sir Your Most Faithful and Most Obed Servt.
Sam Potts

Addressed: A son Excellence / Monsieur Franklyn / Passey / a / Paris


Title: The Loge des Neuf Sœurs and Franklin: Announcement of a Fête Académique, [before 10 May 1783]
From: Masonic Lodge, Neuf Soeurs,Franklin, Benjamin
To:

Though the peace was publically celebrated all over Paris in the spring of 1783, this was the only celebration in which Franklin had a hand—or at least, to which he lent his name. Initially, the Nine Sisters planned to hold this fête académique on May 5 at its quarters on the rue Coquéron. They sent printed invitations to the membership, dated April 8 and issued in the name of the lodge “de concert avec le T∴ C∴ F∴ FRANKLIN, ex- Vénérable.” The festivities were to begin at five o’clock sharp; the price of admission for members and guests, and the controls on order and propriety, were the same as in the revised invitation published below. Reservations were being accepted through April 30.
Perhaps it was the volume of acceptances that made the lodge postpone the date and change the venue. Perhaps it was the clamor of nonmembers who wanted to attend. Whatever the case, even before they knew on which day in May the event would occur (they left the date blank), the lodge printed this revised invitation in the form of a general announcement. This time, as they emphasized in italics, one did not need to be a mason in order to attend. The venue would be the Redoute chinoise, and all the amusements in that garden would be available to the guests.
The celebration took place on Monday, May 12. The marquis de La Salle, the current vénérable, began by reading a poem, and Elie de Beaumont delivered a speech on the peace. The marquis then presented Franklin with the medal illustrated on the facing page, engraved by lodge member Jean-François Bernier. There followed lectures and readings by various poets, artists, and members of the Academy of Sciences including Lalande, who presented a memoir on the new planet, Uranus, discovered in 1781 by William Herschel. The assembly then descended into the grotto and gardens to dine at café tables. Towards midnight they returned to the main hall where the Orchestre de l’Opéra performed an oratorio on the peace composed for the occasion, with lyrics by La Salle and music by Campan. The affair ended with a ball, and everyone who attended was given one of the medals that Franklin had earlier received. The Journal de Paris, which reported on the event, concluded that good order and “decency” had reigned, and that everything read and sung had pleased the elite crowd.

[before May 10, 1783]
FETE ACADEMIQUE,
DONNEE, PAR EXTRAORDINAIRE,
A L’OCCASION DE LA PAIX,
PAR LA L∴ DES NEUF-SŒURS,
Conjointement AVEC L’ex∴ V∴ F∴ FRANKLIN,
Le  Mai, à la Redoute Chinoise, Foire Saint-Laurent.
Il y aura Lectures, Concert, Hymnes relatifs à la circonstance, exécutés par les plus célebres Virtuoses; ensuite Bal. On entrera à quatre heures, & la séance commencera à six heures précises.
La Salle sera décorée de Tableaux, dont les sujets seront allégoriques à la gloire de la France, à l’indépendance de l’Amérique, & aux sentimens de la R∴ L∴
Tous les Jeux contenus dans le local qu’on a choisi pour cette Fête seront à la disposition des Souscripteurs: il ne sera pas nécessaire d’être Maçon pour y être admis.
La Souscription sera de 24 livres. L’on aura la liberté d’y conduire une Dame, mais on paiera 6 livres de plus pour une seconde, & ainsi de suite pour chaque Dame qu’on présentera.
On pourra se faire inscrire jusqu’au 10 Mai, inclusivement, chez M. le Marquis DE LA Salle, rue Saint-Roch, près celle Poissonnière, depuis neuf heures du matin jusqu’à midi, & chez M. Gaucher, des Académies de Londres, Rouen, &c. rue Saint-Jacques, porte cochere vis-à-vis Saint Yves, depuis neuf heures du matin, jusqu’à cinq heures du soir.
Pour le maintien de l’ordre & de la décence, l’on sera obligé de déclarer, en souscrivant, ses qualités & demeure, ainsi que les noms & qualités des Dames qui seront admises; chaque Billet d’entrée portera le nom de la Personne qui le présentera.

Aucun Domestique ne sera introduit. La L∴ se chargera de faire servir les Buffets.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Milly et al., [before 10 May 1783]
From: Milly, Nicolas-Christiern de Thy, comte de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

[before May 10, 1783]
Mrs. Le Cte. de Milly, Mis. De La Salle, & Cte. de Préaux Vble. Ex vble. & Membres de La Loge des IX soeurs Sont venus pour rendre leurs devoirs a Monsieur Franklin & le prevenir que la fête a L’occasion de La paix qui Se donne le 12. mai a la redoute chinoise fbg. & foire st. laurent Commencera a 6. heures du soir, & qu’il est instemment prié d’y être rendû a 7. heures au plus tard. Suivant Son aveu & Sa promesse il est annoncé & le public Seroit desolé d’être privé de la presence du grand homme qui après avoir instruit l’univers a rompû les fers de sa patrie & donne des loix utiles & Sages au peuple nouveau qui lui doit Sa consistance & Sa liberté.

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Franklin Ministre des XIII. etats / unis de L’amerique / a Passy


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Robert R. Livingston, 10 May 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Livingston, Robert R.

Dear Sir,
Passy, 10 May 1783.
Permit me to introduce to you the Bearer Mr. Hogendorff, of an illustrious Family, and Lieutenant in the Dutch Guards. He is strongly recommended to me by Persons of Distinction, as a Gentleman of excellent Character: His principal Design in going to America is to make himself acquainted with the Country, & its Inhabitants: I beg you will favour him with your best Advice, & Counsels which as a Stranger he may stand in need of, and which you have a Pleasure in affording to Persons of Merit.—
With great Regard, I have the honour to be, Dear Sir, Your most obedt & most humble Sert.
B Franklin
R. R. Livingston Esqr.—

Endorsed: from Docr. Franklin


Title: Ferdinand Grand to the American Peace Commissioners, 10 May 1783
From: Grand, Rodolphe-Ferdinand
To: American Peace Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Adams, John,Jay, John,Laurens, Henry

Gentlemen,
Paris, May 10 1783.
It is some Months ago since I had the honor to write you, & am well persuaded, altho I received no Answer thereto, that it will have engaged your attention. I earnestly wish it may have been productive of an Improvement to the Finances of Congress which I then foresaw would be short of our Wants & which is unfortunately too much the case at present.
Last Month I remitted to the Honorable Rt. Morris the State of his Account, the Ballance of which were £413,892. 13. 9 due to me. This added to the subsequent Payments I had to make would have thrown me in a State of Perplexity had it not been for the Assistance given me by the Garde du Tresor Royal.
You will see, Gentlemen, by the State I have the honour to inclose for your Consideration that the Sums I am to pay exceed of one Million those that are to be paid me. And making even abstraction of all that is not M. Morris Bill there still remains a defect of £500,000 independent of the Allowance to be made for his usual Wants from Jany. 24 (date of his last Bills) up to the 12th of March.
I am happy to have it in my Power to say that I have exerted to this instant all that my Zeal & my Faculties could suggest me, did the last keep Pace with the former, I should never have applied but to them. However the State of Affairs is such now, that a Resolution must be taken relative thereto, & even without delay. The Bearers of M. Morris Bills growing so urgent upon me that rather than to have occasioned an Eclat before I could be informed with your Resolution, I prefferred accepting a further Sum of £54000 this Day.
I crave your Excellencies will honour me with a quick answer, meantime, I remain, most respectfully, Gentlemen, Your Most obedient & most humble Servt.
(signed) Grand.

State of Congress’s Finances at Paris on the 10th of May 1783.—

Ballance due to me on the last Account
£413892.
13.
9

Sums paid by his Excelly Bn. Franklin’s orders
172001.
5.
1

The Hble. Rt. Morris drafts to be paid
1,872,871.
1.
10

His fresh drafts from Jany. 24 at 60 days sight, of which I already accepted £54000.
804371
  8.

£3263136.
8
8

Interest on the Dutch Loan 400000

  Sabatier & Desprez Claim for Furnitures to the La Fayette 134,000

534000.

£3,797,136.
8.
8.

To the American Ministers for negotiating a Peace.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste Artaud, 10 May 1783
From: Artaud, Jean-Baptiste
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Monsieur.
Avignon 10 mai 1783.
Ravir la foudre aux cieux, et le Sceptre aux tyrans,  est une double gloire que l’univers n’a jamais vue Se reunir sur une mesme téte, si ce n’est sur la votre.
Daignés de grace laisser tomber un regard de bonté sur un ecrivain qui a fixé avec autant de zele que dassiduité, pendant tout le cours de la derniere guerre, linteret et les yeux de Ses lecteurs, sur vos travaux et sur vos succés.
J’ai celebré la conquette de la liberté faite par votre patrie, mais le congrés ne me doit rien. J’ai fait venerer l’auteur de cette noble entreprise, Sans aquerir aucun droit à votre bienveillance, enfin en faisant constament cherir la justice et la sagesse de la france ma patrie, je n’ai que rempli le devoir d’un sujet fidelle.
Cependant, Monsieur, j’ose vous suplier de m’acorder une medaille de l’independance si vous avés daigné lire mes ecrits, vous y avés trouvé une excuse a la liberté de ma demande.
Puissaije obtenir de vous ce monument de votre gloire, qui sera pour moi un monument de votre bonté. Je le leguerai à mes enfans; et ils diront aprés moi; “notre pere fut un françois fidelle à sa patrie et à ses alliés. Voila la recompense quil reçut du createur de la liberté americaine. Ce bienfait fut son unique consolation, avant quil mourut pauvre.”
Je Suis avec un profond respect Monsieur. Votre trés humble et trés obeissant Serviteur
Artaudauteur du courier d’avignon.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Stephen Thorogood, [c. 10 May 1783]
From: Thorogood, Stephen
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Most Honble. Sr.
Place of S. Mark. Venise May the [blank][c. May 10] 1783.
I do not know with what foundation, that it is here generaly reported; that this Citty, will shortly be visited by You great Sr. Every one glow with pleasure at the thought of it, and Certainly I Should think it, one of the happyest period of my life, that moment in which I shall have the happiness, to know You personaly. In Jully eighty one, when I was on my travells from England, to this Place. I had resolved, to have that Satisfation, but peculiar reason prevented Me going so far, from my shortest Road.
Having allways made my favorite Study; Natural Phylosophy few Moments Conversation with you Sr. would: Either sett me to wright from that Oppinion, which I hold of the Eletrical fluid, or We should have mark’d out some clearer reason to Account for its very mestyrious action, in the change of the Leyden Bottle.
I Crave Earnestly to know, if We may entratain any hope of Such report being true; if So; I Shall wait until I can personaly communicate to You my thoughts, on this particular. If otherwise I must beg leave, to send them in Writing, which I hope You will be able to well Compreand, althoue I am so deficient in the English language. Fate having deprived Me of an English liberal Education, being born of English Parents in this Citty, and lost them in My Infancy.
It is true that at a time when Every moment of it, is Employd by You for the wellfare of Your Contry; I should not intrude on it, & unknown trouble You w. this present, but great as You are in the Phylosophycal World, I am sure You must find a peculiar satisfation in having comunicated to You, any new thought, or Idea, by which it may be endevourd, to throw any new light on the Study of Nature; being sensible, that to distract our Mind from our greatest care is Even nessesary, and Serve only to recall Us to it w. Greater Spring & activity; I will hope that there will be found a Moment in which You will Sr. be pleased to inspect them; and grant Me for the present the unmerrited honor of Your obliging Answer. Remaining w. the profoundest Respect of Your Esselencys Most Obidient. Umble & Respectfull Serv.
Stephen Thorogood

Addressed: His Exellency Ben. Frankilin Es. / Minister of the United States of / Amarica to the Court of France / Paris.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from [Anne-Rose?] Cologan, 11 May 1783
From: Cologan, Anne-Rose
To: Franklin, Benjamin

dimanche. 11 mai [1783]
Mde de Cologan est bien fachée de ne pouvoir pas avoir l’honneur de Dejeuner aujourdhui avec Monsieur franklin, quelle aime de tout son Cœur. Elle le prie daccepter quelques bouteilles de vin de Canaries des terres de Mr de Cologan. Les unes sont du Vidonia et les autres du Malvoisia, elle espere que Monsieur franklin les trouvera de son gout, aussi bien que, Bai, Bai &c.

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin / a Passy


Title: Lafayette to the American Peace Commissioners, 12 May 1783
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: American Peace Commissioners,Franklin, Benjamin,Adams, John,Jay, John,Laurens, Henry

Gentlemen,
Paris, May 12th. 1783.
Having Yesterday conferred with Count de Vergennes upon some Public Concerns, He requested I would tell you what, instead of troubling you with the Demand of a meeting, I think better to mention in this Note.
The several Powers said he, are going to make up their Treaties, and when ready to sign, they will of Course meet to do it all together. The Mediation of the Emperor and that of Russia have been required, and under that Mediation the French Treaty will be signed, it now rests with America to know if She will conclude her Treaty under the Mediation, or chooses to let it alone. There is no Necessity for it, But in Case you prefer to have it, Count de Vergennes thinks it is time to join with England in making a combined Application to the Court of Vienna and that of Petersbourg.
So far Gentlemen I have been requested to speak to you, I will add that from my last Conferences on the Subject, I hope we may get the Harbour of L’Orient, as we have wished, for the American Trade.
Be pleased to accept the Assurances of my great and affectionate Respect.
(signed) La Fayette.
To the American Ministers for negociating a Peace.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Baronne d’Ahax, with Franklin’s Draft of a Reply, 12 May 1783
From: Ahax, ——, baronne d’,Franklin, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

paris le 12 may 1783
Monsieur apres avoir eu le bonheur de vous voir je desir de le renouveller et vous demande votre heurs la plus Comode ou je puis avoir la bonheur de vous revoir Seul car jai besoin dun Confidant et jesper de le trouver dans L’etre que je revere le plus au monde.
Jai l’honneur d’etre avec la plus grand veneration monsieur votre tres humble et tres obeisante servante
LA Baronne D’AHAX

Je prie de vouloir avoir la bonte de mètre sur mon adresse L’envelope de Mr dupont directeur des subistance militairs au Bureau gènéral rúe charlot au marais a paris

Endorsed: Mr Franklin having much Business finds that previous Appointments of Days & Hours to see Persons on their private Affairs proves often inconvenient to him: And as it may be so to Madam la Baronne to come so far as Passy upon an Uncertainty, he submits it to her Consideration, whether if she has need of his Advice, it may not be best to state the Affair to him in a Letter, which he will immediately answer.
Notation: D’Ahas. 12 May 1783.—


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Morris, 12 May 1783
From: Morris, Robert
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Sir
Office of Finance 12th May 1783
The Bills drawn by Congress in their Necessities press very heavily upon me, and one of the greatest among many Evils attending them is the Confusion in which they have involved the Affairs of my Department. I have never yet been able to learn how many of these Bills have been paid nor how many remain due neither am I without my fears that some of them have received double Payment.
To bring at length some little Degree of Order into this Chaos, after waiting till now for fuller Light and Information I write on the Subject to Mr. Adams and Mr. Jay and send Mr. Barclay to whom I also write a Copy of the enclosed Accounts directing him to Consult with your Excellency and with them to transmit me an Account of the Bills paid and of those remaining due and to take Measures for preventing double Payments. The enclosed Accounts will inform you that of the Bills drawn for Interest and those for carrying on the current Service which have gone forward thro the Loan Offices amount the first to one Million six hundred and eighty four thousand two hundred and seventy eight Dollars equal to eight Million four hundred and twenty one thousand three hundred and ninety Livres and the second to two hundred and eighty six thousand seven hundred and thirty three and one third Dollars equal to one Million four hundred and thirty three thousand six hundred and sixty six Livres six Sous and eight deniers.
Let me intreat you Sir to forward these Views as much as possible for you will, I am sure, be Sensible how necessary it is for me to know the exact State of our pecuniary Affairs lest on the one Hand I should risque the public Credit by an Excess of Drafts or on the other leave their Monies unemployed while they experience severe distress from the Want. I am Sir with perfect Respect your Excellency’s most obedient and humble Servant
Robt Morris
His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esqr. Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States.

Endorsed: Accounts of Drafts upon Commrs. & upon BF.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Joshua and Catherine Johnson, and Matthew and Anne Ridley, 13 May 1783
From: Johnson, Joshua,Johnson, Catherine,Ridley, Matthew,Ridley, Anne,Johnson, Joshua,Johnson, Catherine,Ridley, Matthew,Ridley, Jane
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Tuesday 13 May 1783.
Mr. & Mrs. Johnson presents their most respectfull compliments to Dr. Franklin & will do themselves the honor to wait on him.

Mr. Johnson did not receive the honor of Dr. Franklin’s Billet til late last Evening or he would have returned an immediate answer.
Mr. & Mrs. Ridleys Compliments & will do themselves the honor to attend Dr. Franklin today.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Abbé de La Roche, 14 [May] 1783
From: La Roche, Martin Lefebvre, abbé de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Auteuil ce 14.— [May 1783]
L’abbé de la Roche souhaite le bonjour à Monsieur franklin et le prévient que Made. et Mr. D’andlau partent demain à 7 heures du matin pour l’angleterre et qu’ils Se chargeront volontiers des paquets et des commissions de Monsieur franklin pour ses amis ou connoissances d’angleterre. Made. d’andlau auroit été elle même les lui demander. Son depart inopiné la presse trop. Elle demeure faubourg st. honoré.
vera t’on ce soir Monsieur franklin à Auteuil?—

Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin / A Passy


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Walterstorff, 14 May 1783
From: Walterstorff, Ernst Frederik von
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Paris the 14th. May 1783.
Mr de Walterstorff presents his respectfull compliments to Dr. Franklin and has the honour of returning to him the Constitution of the United States of America, begging leave at the same time to appologize for not having sent this Collection back sooner, owing to his having lent some sheets of it to Baron de Blome. Mr. de W. gives his gratefull thanks to Dr. Franklin for having procured him the pleasure of being acquainted with those laws, which, if executed with the same spirit of philosophy and sound polity which framed them, will assure constant happiness to a Country, which, jusly proud of its well deserved liberty and Constitution, ought not to glorify less in its having given birth to a certain great Philosopher and truly amiable Statesman.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 14 May 1783
From: Williams, Jonathan Sr.
To: Franklin, Benjamin

Hond. Sr
London May the 14. 1783
Your favr. of apl. 23 Came to hand two day ago, note the Contents. I should have lik’d a passage with you; however the season is good & I have Concluded to Return hom to my own Country, Which I esteem to be the best that I ever Saw, I Shall sail in a few days for Boston, in the first ship that will be Cleard for that port, Wh. makes the Trade as Regular as it Can be before the Negotiations are finishd however I have On board this ship a quanty of Such goods as will be agreeable to aunt, & I think they are well Bot: On my arival she shall have the amo: of the money I Receiv’d of yours for Johnnot & Warrens Bills at the first Cost, With the Charges that I pay & no other, I have Orderd Incurence— I think it best its about 2½ or 3 per Ct. I inclosd an Abrigment of the Common Prayer it is the Best state that Mr. Wilkie Could git it for me. Your friends here will be much disoponted, if you should not Visit them before you Return to America in Particular the good Bishop of St Asaph Who expresses the highest Regard for you. Wishing you the Blessings of every good & in your Own time a good passage to America & a happy Sight of your friends if Boston Should be your first Landing you will do me honour if you will make my house your hom, you will meat a harty wilcom from Your Dutyfull Nephew & most hble Servant my Love to Cousin William
Jona. Williams
To Doct Franklin

Addressed: His Excellency Benjamin Franklin / Passy near Paris


Title: George III: Commission for David Hartley, 14 May 1783
From: George III, King of Great Britain and Ireland
To:

[May 14, 1783]
George R.
George the Third, by the Grace of God King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburgh, Arch Treasurer and Prince Elector of the Holy Roman Empire &c. To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting.
Whereas for the perfecting and establishing the Peace, Friendship, and good Understanding so happily commenced by the provisional Articles signed at Paris the thirtieth Day of November last by the Commissioners of Us and our good Friends the United States of America viz, New-Hampshire, Massachusets-Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the three Lower Counties on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, in North America, and for opening, promoting and rendering perpetual the mutual Intercourse of Trade and Commerce between our Kingdoms and the Dominions of the said United States, We have thought proper to invest some fit Person with full Powers on our Part to meet and confer with the Ministers of the said United States now residing at Paris, duly authorized for the Accomplishing of such laudable & salutary Purposes. Now Know Ye, that we reposing special Trust & Confidence in the Wisdom, Loyalty, Diligence & Circumspection of our Trusty & well beloved David Hartley Esquire, (on whom We have therefore confered the Rank of Our Minister Plenipotentiary) have nominated, constituted and appointed, and by these Presents do nominate, constitute and appoint our true, certain and undoubted Commissioner, Procurator & Plenipotentiary; Giving & granting to him all & all manner of Faculty, Power and Authority together with general as well as special Order (so as the general do not derogate from the special, nor on the contrary) for Us & in our Name, to meet, confer, treat & conclude, with the Minister or Ministers furnished with sufficient Powers on the Part of our said Good Friends the United States of America, of and concerning all such Matters and Things as may be requisite & necessary for accomplishing and completing the several Ends & Purposes herein before mentioned, and also for Us and in our Name to sign such Treaty or Treaties, Convention or Conventions, or other Instruments whatsoever as may be agreed upon in the Premises, and mutually to deliver and receive the same in Exchange, & to do & perform all such other Acts, Matters and Things as may be any Ways proper & conducive to the Purposes abovementioned, in as full and ample Form & manner, and with the like Validity and Effect, as We Ourself, if We were present, could do & perform the same: Engaging & promising, on our Royal Word that we will accept, ratify and Confirm in the most effectual Manner all such Acts, Matters and Things, as shall be so transacted & concluded by our aforesaid Commissioner Procurator and Plenipotentiary, and that we will never suffer any Person to violate the same, in the whole or in Part, or to act contrary hereto, In Testimony and Confirmation of all which, We have caused our Great Seal of Great Britain to be affixed to these Presents signed with our Royal Hand. Given at our Palace at St. James’s, the Fourteenth Day of May in the Year of Our Lord, One Thousand seven hundred & Eighty three, and in the Twenty Third Year of Our Reign.

Notation by William Temple Franklin: Copy of Mr. Hartley’s Full Power. exchanged with that of the American Ministers the 19 May 1783.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Falconer, 15 May 1783
From: Falconer, Nathaniel
To: Franklin, Benjamin

My Dear Sir
London May the 15 1783
I Take the Liberty of informing you of my arrivall hear yesterday I left philadla the 12 of april in a vessell for ostend but Got put ashore at hasting I Expect to purches a ship hear and proceed to philadelphia if you have aney Commands hear that I Can Excute please to Let hear from you Mr Beach [Bache] was at Newyork when I Came away Mrs Beach was well Mr Williams informs me you intend home which I am verey Glad to hear for belive me whe Shall be much in want of your assistance on that Side the watter and it is the wish of all your friends that you may be there before october Next I no youle Excuse the Liberty I have Taken therfore will make no apologe for writing my Best Compliments W T Franklin and Mr Hartly who I understand is now with you I am Dear Sir yr Hble Ser
Nath Falconer

Addressed: Docter Franklin / at Paris
Notation: Falconer 15 May 178[torn]


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from the Comte de Maillebois, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 15 May 1783
From: Maillebois, Yves-Marie Desmaretz, comte de,Franklin, Benjamin
To: Franklin, Benjamin

a Paris 15 may [1783]
Il y a bien longtemps, mon cher confrere, que je me reproche de n’avoir pas pu aller vous faire Moy mesme mes remerciments de la medaille que vous aves eu la bonté de m’envoyer. Vous scaves que j’ay toujours eu dans le cœur la gloire du Congres, et les succes de mon respectable confrere et amy. J’aurais desiré d’y contribuer plus essentiellement.
M. de Banne, qui vous presentera ma lettre est un jeune homme plein de zele et d’intelligence qui va voyager en amerique de L’aveu du gouvernement. Il me prie de vous engager a luy donner des lettres de recommandation autant que vous le pourres faire, je crois pouvoir vous repondre qu’il fera un usage utile et sage des moyens qu’on luy donnera de s’instruire. C’est ce qui m’engage a vous le recommander j’espere que je finiray bientost mes proces et des que je seray libre, j’iray surement vous renouveller moy mesme l’attachement bien sincere et inviolable, avec lequel j’ay L’honneur d’etre, mon cher et respectable confrere, votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur
Maillebois

	Endorsed: Give him a Letter to Dr Cooper
		Govr Greene
		Mr. Livingston


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

          The following accounts, identified in previous volumes, continue to
            apply to the current period: VI and VII (XXIII,
            21); XVII (XXVI, 3); XIX and XXII (XXVIII, 3–4); XXV and XXVII (XXXII, 3–4); XXX (XXXVI, 3); and XXXI (XXXVIII, 3). We offer
            here a summary of entries that have not found a place elsewhere in our annotation but
            provide insights into Franklin’s private and public life.
          Account XVII (Franklin’s Private Accounts with Ferdinand Grand, XXVI, 3) reveals the usual mixture of personal and
            household expenses. A bill from Gabriel-Louis Marignac, Benjamin Franklin Bache’s tutor,
            was paid on June 14. Franklin’s secretary Jean L’Air de Lamotte received 268 l.t. on May 17, 221 l.t. on June
            7, and 466 l.t. on September 12. Mlle Chaumont, who had
            been leasing a carriage to Franklin, was paid on June 20 and July 8. Two weeks later, on
            July 26, Franklin purchased a carriage of his own from a certain Louis Loiselle for
            1,680 l.t. (Loiselle would later have dealings with William
            Temple Franklin, arranging to repair and sell for him a cabriolet.) Franklin’s carriage must have been the diligence de campagne that was thoroughly overhauled and
            refurbished in August by Veuve Fabre, master saddler, who charged such extraordinary
            prices to both Franklin and Temple that her bills were not honored until two years
            later, when Temple insisted on submitting her accounts to arbitration. On August 9 Franklin was debited 6,000 l.t. for his draft of “4 Nbre” on
            Robert Morris; this surely refers to the draft of December 4, which Franklin described in a letter to Morris
              of December 14, 1782 (XXXVIII, 455).
          Franklin was credited with two deposits on July 28. He received 14,583 l.t. 6 s. 8 d. as salary for the last quarter of 1782 and 40 shares of
            the caisse d’escompte worth 5,200 l.t.
          Account XXV (Account of Postage and Errands, XXXII, 3), still being kept by L’Air de Lamotte during these months, reflects a
            steady flow of letters and packets sent and received, and the “commissions” or errands
            to Paris, Versailles, and Auteuil run by Jean-Nicolas Bonnefoÿ and, on occasion, Jacques
            Finck, the maître d’hôtel. Their monthly statements are
            filed with L’Air de Lamotte’s summary sheets, as are the bills submitted by Berthelot
            the postman. In addition to letters for himself and the American commissioners, Franklin
            received mail for people identified as Bancroft, Miss Laurens, Mr. Vaughan, and, on
            August 22, Mr. Harrison.
          Account XXVII (Accounts of the Public Agents in Europe, XXXII, 4) lists monthly reimbursements to L’Air de Lamotte for postage and
            errands (the expenses he itemized in Account XXV) and his salary payment on August 9. On
            August 6 Grand transferred 2,005 l.t. 9 s. 8 d. to William Carmichael
            out of the public account. Fizeaux, Grand & Cie.’s bills were paid on May 22 and
            August 7.
          Account XXXI (Jacques Finck’s Accounts of Household Expenditures, XXXVIII, 3), with its daily tallies of groceries,
            shows a variety of fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, and game, which grew more diverse
            as the season progressed. The cook was paid in May for three months’ wages plus a wine
            allowance; that same month the cook’s boy, Bouchet, received four months’ wages plus
            wine. The garçon de cuisine received two months’ salary in
            July; in August that same garçon de cuisine (we assume),
            now malade, was attended by a surgeon who charged 7 l.t. 10 s. for
            the house call. A dishwasher worked ten days in June, at the rate of 1 l.t. per day, and six days in July. In August, Mlle Chaumont
            supplied herbage of an unspecified nature and sold the
            household a wine press for 100 l.t. Two quarts of beer were
            purchased per month, on average. Bottles of wine from Frontignan and Málaga were bought,
            usually four at a time, and a dozen bottles of “vin de la cottes Rottie” (the côtes du
            Rhône). Finck also paid the entry duties on two bottles of Madeira and delivery charges
            on both the Madeira and a pannier of champagne. He purchased wood for the stove, pots
            for making pickles, four dozen jam jars, paper for the office, lard for greasing the
            carriages, and materials for assembling a mattress for “jaques.” In August he bought
            couch grass (used for bladder and kidney stones, among other urinary tract disorders)
            and licorice.


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

          Although the hostilities had ceased and most prisoners had been
            exchanged, American seamen who had escaped from British jails continued to appear at
            Franklin’s door seeking assistance. When they received it, they either signed or made
            their marks on triplicate promissory notes that Franklin had printed. Little is known
            about these men, as their notes were rarely filled in with anything other than their
            names and the amount.
          Seven men received 24 l.t. on May 20: Alexander Cox,
            Bannet and Stephen Jarboe, Barnard Limes, John White, John Wilson, and B. Youton. On May
            24 William Carter, John Collins, William Harris, and William Morgan each received the
            same amount. The passport that Franklin issued to them still survives; signed the same
            day, it identified them as American sailors and allowed them to travel to Nantes. Micel Benet signed a promissory note for
            24 l.t. on May 29.

          On July 10 William Pease and John Rush each signed notes for 15 l.t. Two days later, notes were issued for Robert Harrison, who received 24 l.t., and for Ann Jamie, who received twice that amount. This
            was presumably for herself and her husband: Ferdinand Grand’s accounts indicate that an
            Alexander “Jemmy” and his wife each received 24 l.t. On July 16 John Smith, taken in the Jack of Salem, was granted 24 l.t.
          Two handwritten receipts survive from this period. On June 15, Franklin wrote a receipt
            for James Fife, who signed it: “Recd. of Mr Franklin One Guinea to bear my Expences to
            Nantes in my way home to Philadelphia, which I promise to repay on Demand.” On July 6
            William Temple Franklin wrote a receipt for three sailors whose names appear on the
            Alphabetical List of Escaped Prisoners: “Recd from B. Franklin Esqr fifteen Livres each
            to assist us in getting to America.” It was signed by David Coleman, John Gray, and
            Thomas Howing.


Title: Editorial Note on Requests to Be Selected a Free Port, 1783
From:
To:

          As soon as the preliminary peace was settled in January, Franklin
            began receiving appeals from Frenchmen who believed him capable of influencing their government’s selection of free ports for American goods. We
            summarized those appeals in volume 39,
            and continue here to summarize the letters he received during the period of this
            volume.
          On May 16 a lawyer named Denans from La Seyne sent an eightpage letter extolling the
            advantages of his city, a port on the Bay of Toulon. He also sent an undated eight-page
            “Mémoire Instructif” on the same subject. Denans observed in his letter that Silas Deane had stayed in La Seyne rather than
            Toulon when returning to America in 1778. The bay not only was a safe refuge from storms but also, because of the
            fortifications of Toulon, was well defended from any enemy incursion. Franklin wrote,
            “answd May 30,” on the letter, but his response has not been located.
          Writing as the mayor and consul of Saint-Nazaire, a few miles west of Toulon and La
            Seyne, the sieurs Icard and Monge praised their port in a letter of June 8 and forwarded
            a now-missing memoir. Around the same
            time, Franklin received a letter referring to several previous communications about
            ports in the Saintonge region. The original was forwarded to Vergennes by William Temple
            Franklin; an undated copy in L’Air de Lamotte’s hand survives among Franklin’s papers,
            with Temple’s draft of a note, written at Versailles on June 10, forwarding the letter.
            The writer was undoubtedly the chevalier Louis-Honoré Froger de La Rigaudière. Finally, on July 22 the director and four
            syndics of the Chamber of Commerce of Aunis renewed their arguments of January 31 on
            behalf of La Rochelle.


Title: From Benjamin Franklin to Jan Ingenhousz, 16 May 1783
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Ingenhousz, Jan

            Dear Friend,
            Passy, May 16. 1783

          I have before me your three Favours of Feby. 26, April 4. & 29. the last delivered to me yesterday by Mr.
            Robertson to whom I shall show the Respect due to your Recommendation. I am asham’d of being so long in Arrear in my
            Correspondence with you, but I have too much Business. I will now endeavour to answer
            your Letters, & hope I may be able to do it without Interruption.
          I never receiv’d the Letter you mention, wherein you ask’d my Leave to dedicate your
            Book to me. I should immediately have
            given my Consent, esteeming it a great honour to be so remembred by you, & handed
            down to Posterity as having your Friendship. The Cast of your Profile came safe to
              hand, and gives me Pleasure as I think
            it very like.— Pray what is the Composition?
          My Journey to Italy and thence to Vienna, is yet an Uncertainty. I thank you however
            for your kind Advice respecting the Conduct of it.
          I have long since been tired of the Acquaintance and Correspondence of Mr. V. Having but a small Remnant left of Life, I cannot afford to attend to his endless Discourse
            & numerous long Letters, and Visionary Projects. He wants to be employ’d in our
            affairs, but he manages his own so badly that one can have but little Confidence in his
            Prudence. I pity him however, tho’ I see no possible means of serving him.
          I thank you for your friendly Congratulations on the Peace and Cautions respecting our
            future Conduct; they are good & Wise.
          Mr. Wharton’s Treatment of you gives me pain. He never writes to me. I forget whether I
            have already sent you the Extract of his Letter to Dr. Bancroft, so I enclose a
              Copy. I enclose also part of a
            Philadelphia Newspaper, by which you will see that your Name & Writings are already
            known in our Country. With regard to your Property in the Public Funds, I have no doubt
            of its being secure, according to the Value it had when it was plac’d there. But I can
            say nothing as to the Particulars of its Situation or Amount; Mr. Williams can better
            inform you. I have requested him to do it.
          It is long since I have seen M. le Begue. He is much in the Country. I have heard
            nothing of the Printing of your Book.
          Your Experiment of burning the Wire has been made here with the greatest Success. My
            Grandson had it try’d at Mr. Charles’s Lecture, where it gave great Satisfaction, and was much
            admired.
          I have not yet found Leisure to explain the Fireplace, but hope for it, when I am quit
            of my present Station.

          I have been, as you know, so little in America for these last 25 Years, that I am
            unqualified to answer the Request of M. Veinbrenner concerning the Names & Solidity
            of Houses there. A new Set of Merchants
            have grown up into Business, of whom I know nothing; and the Circumstances of the old
            ones whom I formerly knew, may have been much altered by Time or by the War. It is
            besides an invidious & dangerous Thing for me, to give such a distinguishing List,
            if I were able to do it. My best Advice to your commercial People, is to send over a
            discreet, intelligent Person with Instructions to travel thro’ the Country, observe the
            Nature of the Commerce, find out what of your Commodities are wanted there, and in what
            Quantities & Proportions; & what of the Produce of the Country can be purchased
            to make advantageous Returns. Such a Man on the Spot may obtain better Informations of
            Characters than I can possibly give, and may make the Connections desired with those
            that he finds to merit Confidence. If your People should think fit to take this Step, I
            will give Letters of Recommendation introductory of the Person, and which may be useful
            to their Design. Please to acquaint M.
            Veinbrenner of this, presenting my Respects. I have already given such Letters at the
            Ambassador’s Request, to a Person employ’d to make Collections of Natural History in
            America for the Emperor’s Museum & Botanic Garden. I have had a Number of Applications from Persons
            at Ostend, Trieste &c. solliciting to be appointed Consuls for America: But till the
              Trade is commenced, there can be no occasion for
            Consuls; and no such Magistrates can be nominated by either Government in the Dominions
            of the other, till such a Proceeding is authoriz’d by a Treaty of Commerce. I have
            receiv’d no Intimation except from you, that a Proposition for such a Treaty would be
            acceptable to his Imperial Majesty; I shall however venture to propose it to the
            Ambassador, when I request his forwarding to you this Letter. The Commodities you
            mention as Productions of the Emperor’s Dominions are all wanted in America, and will
            sell there to Advantage.
          I will send you another Piece of the Soap you mention, when I can have a good Opportunity. I now send
            you one of the Medals I have caused to be struct here, which has the good Luck to be
            much approved.
          I am glad you have made the Experiments you mention, and with Success. You will find that the holes
            are not made by the Impulse of the Fluid moving in certain Directions, but by
            Circumstances of Explosion of Parts of the matter; and I still think my Explanation of
            the Holes in the Vane probable, viz. that it was the Explosion of Tin against Parts of
            the Copper Plate, that were almost in a State of Fusion, and therefore easily burst
            thro’, either on one Side or the other as it happened. The Bursting of the 12 Bottles
            all at once, I take to be owing to small Bubbles in the Substance of the Glass, or
            Grains of Sand, into which a Quantity of the Electric Fluid
            had been forc’d & compress’d while the Bottles were charging; and when the Pressure
            was suddenly taken off by discharging the Bottles, that confin’d Portion by its elastic
            Force expanding caused the Breach. My Reasons for thinking that the Charge did not pass
            by those Holes you will find in a former Letter; and I think you will always find that the
            Coating within & without is forced both ways by the Explosion of those Bubbles.—
          With regard to the Statuary you mention, I hardly think it can be worth his while at present to go to America in Expectation
            of being employ’d there. Private Persons are not rich enough to encourage sufficiently
            the fine Arts; and therefore our Geniuses all go to Europe. In England at present the
            best History-Painter, West; the best Portrait-Painter, Copely; and the best
            Landscape-Painter, Taylor at Bath, are all Americans. And the Public being burthen’d by its War-Debts,
            will certainly think of paying them, before it goes into the Expence of Marble
            Monuments. He might indeed as you hint be easily paid in Land, but Land will produce him
            nothing without Labour; and he and his Workmen must subsist while they fashion their
            Figures. After a few Years, such an Artist may find Employment; and possibly we may
            discover a white Marble a little easier to work than that we have at present, which tho’
            it bears a fine Polish, is reckon’d too hard.
          I have already spoke to Mr: Le Roy about taking Care of the Edition of your Work, which
            he very kindly & readily promis’d if you should have Occasion.—
          I will send your Note to Dr. Bancroft & engage him if I can to write to you. But he confesses himself extreamly
            indolent and averse to writing; and I am not sure I shall
            prevail with him. Mr. Williams writes a few Lines which I enclose.
          I thank you for your good Counsel respecting Physic, I continue well, & live on without it; and
            while I do live I shall ever be with great & sincere Esteem, My dear Friend, Yours
            most affectionately

            B Franklin
            Dr. Ingenhauss.

          Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Ingenhausz / à Vienne.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from Reuben Harvey, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply,17 Ma[y] 1783
From: Harvey, Reuben
To: Franklin, Benjamin

              Respected Friend
              Cork 17th. Ma[y, 1783]

            I take the liberty to ask thy advice on the following Matter [faded: and request(?)] an answer as soon as possible. A Merchant(?) here named
              Stubbeman who has continued warmly attach’d to America
              is now loading a Ship call’d the Ann Benjn. Edmonton Master for Philadelphia which
              will be ready to sail in 20 days; There are about 100 poor Tradesmen & Husbandmen
              offering to proceed on board this Ship in order to settle in America, but they have
              not Money to pay their Passage, & therefore propose to indent as Servants for a
              certain term, as has been the custom heretofore; but my friend Stubbeman is unwilling
              to accept them in this manner until he has thy opinion respecting the propriety of it,
              least Congress may disapprove of such Men being carried out to America; I own I think
              that those sort of useful laborious Men will be very acceptable in your Country, &
              I can assure thee there is not a Convict or Felon amongst them. Thy immediate Answer
              will be acknowledg’d a great favour, as the Vessel will only be delay’d until it
                comes.
            I am with the most respectful regard Thy sincere Friend

              Reuben Harvey

            I have had the pleasure to receive the first consignment that
              arrived from the United States; viz—The Enterprize Capt Garzia from Rhode Island, She
              was address’d to me by a Gentn. named Charles Green a Cousin Germain of Genl.
                Green.
            Benjamen Franklin Esqr.

          Addressed: Benjamen Franklin Esqr. /
            Ambassador from the / United States of America / at / Paris

          Endorsed: They will go to a Country
            where People do not export their Beef & Linnen to import Claret, while the Poor at
            home live on Potatoes and wear Rags. Indeed America has not Beef & Linnen sufficient
            for Exportation, because every Man there, even the poorest, eats Beef and wears a
            Shirt.


Title: To Benjamin Franklin from ——— de Franck and Other Offerers of Goods and Schemes, 18 May 1783
From: Franck, —— de
To: Franklin, Benjamin

          With the general armistice in effect and peace virtually assured,
            merchants continue to come forward with offers of goods or requests for advice on how to
            establish commercial ventures. M. de Franck of Strasbourg, having heard that the new
            nation will be commissioning cannons in France, hastens to tell Franklin on May 18 that
            he will supply the best terms. His letter is printed below.
          G. Anquetil Brutiere, writing from
            Saint-Malo on May 31, informs Franklin that he is expecting two of his cargo ships to
            arrive from La Rochelle any day now. He has no immediate plans for them, and would
            entertain advantageous proposals from either Franklin or his friends in America.
          Frédéric-Robert Meuricoffre, Swiss by birth, has lived for the past 16 years in Naples,
            where more than 30 years ago he established a successful mercantile house. Writing from
            Paris on June 5, he offers the services of Meuricoffre-Scherb & Cie. Asserting that Naples is perhaps the most
            important city in Europe for American trade, he encloses an annotated list of products
            that might be profitably exchanged. Naples would welcome American salt cod, tobacco, and
            sugar (but has no need for wood, wheat, or rice), and would export various oils,
            fabrics, wines, salt, licorice, and an infinity of other items that one could easily
              imagine.
          M. Urvoy, descended from an ancient Breton family, writes on June 6 telling Franklin to
            address his reply simply to the town of Saint-Brieuc, where he is known. He and a friend
            both love liberty and want to set up a commercial house for trade with
            America. He is 33 and retired from the military, but his friend, age 26, still serves.
            Once the friend has learned English and business management, he will establish himself
            in the United States; Urvoy will operate from one of the ports in his province. Between
            them, they have about 900,000 l.t. to invest, and while it
            may seem that they have little to offer, they share a love of work, goodwill, and the
            greatest probity. They request Franklin’s advice, support, and a letter of
            recommendation for the younger partner to carry with him to America.
          Writing from Paris on June 23, Walton & Stott of Ostend send a brief note
            requesting an interview. The merchants wish to discuss importing goods into America.
          On July 7 the Liègeois arms manufacturer Jacques-Lambert Ransier writes about his hopes
            to go to America and sell arms of all kinds; a pistol of his manufacture is accurate at
            300 paces. He is also thinking about establishing a factory there, for arms or perhaps
            even soap or perfume, or a distillery. He will be traveling with business associates who
            know these processes. The group will carry with them a selection of merchandise
            including cloth, silk, jewelry, and hardware. Franklin’s answer should be sent care of
            Genefve & Cie. at Augsburg, where he is currently staying. Ransier writes again on
            August 12 from Fürth, near Nuremberg. He will be leaving for America in about five weeks
            with firearms and other merchandise, and asks for letters of recommendation and advice.
            He is staying with the merchant Pierre Lenoble.
          John Gottfried Braumüller of Berlin writes in German on August 2. He has connections to
            manufacturers of silk, wool, linen, and other fabrics, and for a commission of 1½
            percent will establish contacts with these firms on behalf of the United States. His
            trading partners include the house of Braunsberg Streckeisen & Cie. in Amsterdam,
            the silk merchant Doucet de Surini in Paris, Franz Sauvage in Dieppe, Boisselier Vogel
            & Cie. in Marseille, Smith Wienholt & Co. in London, Paul Maistre & Cie. in Genoa, and Johann
            Michael Wagner in Venice. Braumüller’s own trade is dry salting, and he asks for
            recommendations to American drysalters in Philadelphia and other respectable cities.
          Two men offer to send to America products that they assume are needed. M.
            Delongueville, writing from Nancy on July 1, proposes to send grapevines, red and white
            potatoes, and large turnips that increase milk production in
            cows. Writing from Villentrode in Champagne on July 17, M. de Breuze has heard that
            America is setting up glass factories. They will need clay, and his is among the best
            available. Located 40 leagues from Paris, it could be shipped most conveniently from
            Rouen or Le Havre.
          M. Sanherr, “Stättmeistre” of Colmar in Alsace, asks Franklin’s protection on August 3 for his
            plan of selling in the United States an exquisite vin de
              paille from his family vineyards. He encloses a printed price list. He would also
            be open to exchanging his wine for American products; once he receives a note detailing
            their cost when delivered to a French port, he will choose the ones best suited to his
            province.
          Many writers seek Franklin’s help in establishing commercial enterprises in America.
            The sieurs Duchesac and Clairval hope to establish a theater company in Philadelphia.
            Their first letter, unsigned and undated, was evidently written by Duchesac. He writes
            on behalf of himself and “Fauché de Clerval,” who is the director of the “spectacle des
            Isles du Vent sous la domination du Roi.” The second letter, signed “Clairval,” is
            written from Paris on May 19. He has just learned that several American officials have
            arrived in Europe and will convene at Franklin’s house. Because Franklin has approved
            the applicants’ plan and afforded his protection, might he now be willing to grant
            Clairval a special audience? Lafayette, whom the actor saw a few days since, supports
            the project. He hopes Franklin will speak to the other Americans about it, and raise a
            subscription that would subsidize the troupe’s passage.
          Charles Paleske, writing in English on May 27 from Hamburg, reminds Franklin of his
            previous letter of March 7, in which he had inquired about the incentives
            offered in America to new settlers. Now
            he has decided to become himself “a partaker of American liberty & happiness.” He is
            on his way to Amsterdam and London, from whence he and a clerk will embark in August to
            Philadelphia and there establish a merchant house under his own name. Having both money
            and connections in Europe, Paleske seeks only some recommendations from Franklin to his
            friends in Holland, England, and America. Paleske will await Franklin’s answer at the
            Amsterdam firm Muilman & Sons, which
            can also provide references for him.
          From Karlsruhe on July 6 comes a letter from Michel Macklot, bookseller and printer to
            the Margrave of Baden, who hopes to establish one of his sons as a bookseller and
            printer in Philadelphia. At the same
            time, he requests a privilège to send German language books
            to America. These would include the best German poets, works of the best foreign
            scholars, translations of the best Greek and Roman authors, moral tales and fables, and
            the finest plays. He has just printed Baron O’Cahill’s work on new strategies for
            forming armies; the book is very interesting and might be used by American troops. He begs to be allowed to send Franklin a
            copy.
          François Truton de Sibery, a former navy recruiting officer, sends a note from Nantes
            on July 31 asking Franklin to consider the enclosed memorandum, which details his
            scheme: he hopes to establish a manufactory in New England to print designs in gold,
            silver, and other colors on all kinds of cloth. The fabric could be used for women’s
            apparel, theatrical productions, funerals, interior decoration, and other applications
            too numerous to mention. This kind of printing has hitherto been reserved for court
            entertainments and the decoration of great halls. Truton and his uncle, who arranges the
            king’s revels, are the only ones who know the secret formula. He hopes that Franklin
            will arrange free passage to Boston, Philadelphia, New York, or any other suitable place
            for his family and the two other people essential to the scheme.

          François Giordana, writing from Turin on September 3, has all the skills necessary to
            establish a silk industry in the United States. He can teach the construction of large
            mills as well as small ones; both are simple and inexpensive, and the latter can be used
            in the home by women, children, and those with weak constitutions. The relationship of a
            small mill to a large one is like that of a harpsichord to an organ: mastering the
            former is excellent training for the latter.
          Several correspondents want to shape the American system of government. Duboys de
            Lamoligniere, “Conseiller au Conseil Supérieur,” writes from Port-au-Prince on July 27
            enclosing a printed discourse on legislation (now missing) which is the product of seven
            years’ work. He has sent copies to Washington, Hancock, and Charles Thomson. The only other person who has received a copy is
            the head of his own family, Duboys de La Bernarde, a brigadier in the French army.
          Johannes Van der Hey writes voluminously to Franklin, Laurens, and Adams, beginning
            with a 14-page letter in English dated July 30 “Near Brussels.” A 57-year-old member of
            the Reformed Church, born in Holland and fluent in most European languages, he was
            trained in commerce and is a specialist in financial administration, particularly the
            collection and distribution of tax revenue. He gives details about his writings on
            politics and finance and his service in various courts, and explains at length his
            recent misfortunes in trying to reclaim family property. He now wishes to emigrate to
            America with his unhappy family if he can secure employment there. He requests the
            permission of the American commissioners to send them a part of his work on finance, the
            first chapter of which outlines a plan whereby an integrated system of national and
            provincial taxes could be established by January 1, 1785. Under his scheme, five million
            dollars could be collected annually without placing an undue burden on manufacturers.
            This plan is based on the tax structure of Holland, the most reasonable and equitable
            one in Europe. As soon as he receives an answer, he will forward the first chapter of
            his work, written in French, to the desired address in Paris. He lists many Dutch
            officials as references. At the end of the letter, having just heard that John Adams is
            in Holland, he resolves to send this letter to him at The Hague. In a
            postscript, he adds that he will send another copy to Franklin.
          That copy must be the memorandum which Van der Hey sent to the commissioners at Passy
            on August 1 under cover of a brief note. Nine dense pages in length, it repeats his
            account of his misfortunes and ends by offering to send the Americans copies of all
            relevant correspondence. On August 5,
            this time writing in French, he alludes to the “Epitre” and memorandum previously sent,
            and encloses the first part of his work on finance, including a handwritten title page
            crammed with information. Another copy, including the first chapter, was sent on August
              29, along with copies in English and
            French of a two-page, fifteen-point “Outhlin’d Scheme of a Plan for a Nationnal
            Constitution and Permanent Gouvernement for the Thirteen United Provinces in North
              America.”
          From Nantes, Coulougnac, who now adds “de Coste Belle” after his name and says he is of
            Franco-American origin, submits ten pages of detailed and wide-ranging reflections on
            how the United States should structure a strong federal government, judicial system, and
            military. His letter is dated September 10. He proposes a system of taxation that will
            support the public credit since at present all confidence is suspended not only in the
            government’s ability to satisfy its liabilities but also in individual debtors. A
            representative federal assembly should pass bills on issues including term limits (he
            proposes no more than two ten-year terms), national academies, liberty of the press,
            arsenals and hospitals, and the settlement of Loyalist property disputes. If
            Coulougnac’s reflections are of interest, he would be pleased to present an expanded
            version to Franklin. He closes by confiding that he plans to relocate to Philadelphia
            within the next year, whence he will establish trade with France and the colonies. He ardently hopes to become a citizen, and asks if
            he can be so designated before he leaves.
          Four correspondents offer goods or schemes of a miscellaneous nature. M. Capion, a
            septuagenarian from Lyon, is a former army chaplain and doctor who traveled in French
            America between 1729 and 1731. He sends rambling thoughts studded with Latin quotations
            on July 19, praising Franklin and Washington and suggesting an allegorical design for a
            mural that should be placed in Congress’ assembly hall. Capion ends by expressing
            disapproval of the immigration of Germans and Hessians, and especially the Irish, to
            America.
          M. Gautier, from the rue Saintonge in the Marais, asks permission to dedicate to
            Franklin an onyx stone he has just engraved, set in a ring, which pays homage to the
            American’s virtues. The bas-relief shows Liberty resting on a plinth, where she treads
            on a yoke. Her left hand indicates several ships, alluding to freedom of the seas and
            the abundance produced by peace. A device may be inscribed on the plinth. This letter,
            signed by Gautier, is in a secretarial hand. In a brief follow-up note, penned by
            Gautier himself, the sculptor and engraver wonders whether the stone pleased Franklin;
            he respectfully awaits the American’s orders. Both letters are undated, but we place
            them after the signing of the definitive peace treaty on September 3.
          On September 9, wanting to add his voice to the outpouring of congratulations on
            independence, M. de Bays, a lawyer from Nuits in Burgundy, sends a pannier of his best
            aged wine. He understands from Cabanis that Franklin has tasted it at Mme Helvétius’ in
            Auteuil. He sends the same gift for Washington, and asks Franklin to forward it along
            with the cover letter. When the minister has a few minutes of leisure, de Bays would
            appreciate his reading a plan for the installation of lightning rods on the buildings of
            one of his country estates. The property includes a vineyard, which he also dreams of
            protecting from hail. He has sent this plan already to Abbé
              Bertholon at Béziers, but above all he
            wants Franklin’s advice. In a postscript he says he is attaching a printed slip that
            will give a more legible version of his address. It reads, “Avocat en Parlement &
            ancien Subdélégué de l’Intendance de Bourgogne.”
          The baron de Juilly Thomassin, who
            describes himself as an ancien sous lieutenant des gardes du
              corps du roi and a superannuated student of the arts, dares to offer Franklin his
            admiration in a letter dated June 24 from Arc-en-Barois. He sends an eight-page homage
            to Louis XVI, the brave Americans, and Franco-American unity entitled “Le Cri d’un Cœur
            francois, aux Américains; sur Le Monument de leur indépendance, qu’ils consacrent au
            Roy.” He knows that zeal is a poor substitute for talent but hopes that Franklin will
            not judge it harshly.

            Monsieur!
            Strasbourg Le 18 May 1783

          J’ignore si vous vous rapéllerez de moi, j’ai eû L’honneur de vous voir à differéntes
            reprises à Paris; et de passée dés journées dans votre societé; je desire ne pas être
            échapé de votre mémoire: mais si je l’etois M. de Reyneval, & M. Grand; ou bién M.
            de Beaumarchais, & même Mgr le Cte. de Vergennes pourroient vous donnér dés
            renseignements satisfaisants sur mon compte; & la demande que je vais vous addréssér
            ne vous donnéra point de suspision. Le bruit s’est répandû ici que Lés Etats unis,
            êtoient dans l’intention de faire faire en france une grande quantité de Cannons de
            fonde on dit que le nombre est de 1500. Plusieurs Marchands & Négotiants d’ici en
            ont parlé à notre chéf de La fonderie je crois, Monsieur, pouvoir vous assurér que rién
            ne pourra Se traittér mieux que par mon canal j’ai lés moyéns de vous arrangér le
            traitté si tot que vous voudrez en mains, mais j’ai l’honneur de vous prévenir que Si
            més offres peuvent vous être agréables, je n’entens traitter qu’avéc vous, Monsieur, et
            non
            avéc dés Negotiants d’Amsterdam, tel qu’il parroit
            que l’affaire S’entame actuéllement.
          Pour la remise dés fonds Mrs. Grand d’Amsterdam, ou de Paris, qui sont l’un &
            l’autre més bons amis me conviéndront parfaitement.
          Il me sera trés agréable, Monsieur, de trouvér occasion pour faire une affaire qui
            intérrésse lés Etats, & avoir L’occasion d’entretenir une corréspondance avéc
            vous.
          J’ai L’honneur d’être avéc lés sentiments lés plus distingués Monsieur Votre tres
            humble & tres Obeissant Serviteur

            De Franck

          Notation: De Franck, 18 May 1783