Letters from Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin to Jasper Yeates, July 4, 1776

Benjamin Franklin to John Montgomery, July 5, 1776

Benjamin Franklin to Rear Adm. Richard, Viscount Howe, August 20, 1776

Philada Aug 20. 76 My Lord The Temper of the Colonies as professed in their several Petitions to the Crown was sincere. The Terms they proposed should then have been…

Benjamin Franklin to Rear Adm. Richard, Viscount Howe, September 8, 1776

Philada. Sept. 8. 1776 My Lord I received your Favour of the 16th past. I did not immediately answer it, because I found that my Corresponding with your Lordship was…

Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, September 8, 1776

Philada. Sept. 8. 1776 Sir The Congress having appointed Mr. Adams, Mr. Rutledge and my self, to meet Lord Howe, and hear what Propositions he may have to make, we…

Benjamin Franklin to William Temple Franklin, September 10, 1776

Brunswick, Sept. 10. 1776 Dear Grandson, It is possible that a Line from Lord Howe may be left for me at your good Mother’s, as I have appointed to be…

Benjamin Franklin to William Temple Franklin, September 19, 1776

Philada Sept. 19. 1776 Dear Billy I received yours of the 16th, in which you propose going to your Father, if I have no Objection. I have consider’d the matter,…

Benjamin Franklin to William Temple Franklin, September 22, 1776

Philada. Sept. 22. 1776 Dear Grandson, You are mistaken in imagining that I am apprehensive of your carrying dangerous Intelligence to your Father; 9 for while he remains where he…

Benjamin Franklin to Mary Pitts, October 14, 1776

Benjamin Franklin to Robert Erskine, October 16, 1776

Philada. Oct. 16. 76 Sir I should sooner have acknowledged your Favour of Aug. 16. containing the Drawing of your Chevaux de Frise: but that I have been so extreamly…

Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, October 25, 1776

[October 25, 1776] Being once more order’d to Europe, and to embark this day, I write this Line &c. As to our publick Affairs, I hope our People will keep…

Benjamin Franklin to Noble Wimberly Jones, October 25, 1776

Philada. Oct. 25. 1776 Sir Being just about to embark for Europe, I take the Liberty of troubling you with my Acct. 7 and requesting you would be so good…

Benjamin Franklin to John Hancock, December 8, 1776

Nantes. Oct. [ i.e. , Dec.] 8. 1776 Sir, In 30 Days after we left the Capes of Delaware, we came to an Anchor in Quiberon Bay. I remain’d on…

Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, December 8, 1776

Nantes, in France, Dec. 8. 1776 Dear Sister I arrived here safe after a Passage of 30 Days, some what fatigued and weakned by the Voyage, which was a rough…

Benjamin Franklin to —— Brillon, January 1, 1777

[Before August 25, 1777? 6 ] M. Franklin fait bien de Compliments a M. Brillon, et desire d’être informé ou demeure M. Hennet.

Benjamin Franklin to Mary (Polly) Stevenson Hewson, January 26, 1777

Paris, Jan. 26[–27]. 1777 Dear Polley I wrote a few Lines to you by Dr. B. and have since seen your Letter to Jona. by which I have the great…

Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Jr Williams, February 5, 1777

Paris, Feb. 5. 1777. Dear Cousin, I receiv’d several Letters from you last Night, which I put into Mr. Dean’s Hands, who answers them. 1 I forwarded yours to London;…

Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, February 12, 1777

Paris Feby. 12th: 1777 Dear Sir We inclose this to Care of Messrs. Delaps hoping it will find you safe arrived in that City. 9 Nothing material has occurr’d since…

Benjamin Franklin to Jan Ingenhousz, February 12, 1777

Paris, Feb. 12[–March 6]. 1777 My dear Friend, I received your kind Letter on the 4th of Jany. It gave me great Pleasure, as it inform’d me of your Welfare,…

Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, March 6, 1777

Paris March 6th. 1777. Dear Sir, The Bearer Mr. Garanger, Captain of Bombardiers had as he informs me, engaged to go to America with M: De Coudray, an Officer of…

Benjamin Franklin to Michael Hillegas, March 25, 1777

Paris, March 25. 1777. Dear Sir, The Bearer M. de Bert de Majan, has been bred in the Military Line, and is esteemed here to be skilful in his Profession.…

Benjamin Franklin to Pierre Penet, March 25, 1777

Passy, near Paris, Mar. 25. 1777. Dear Sir, The Bearer, M. de Bert, is desirous of going to America. He goes at his own Expence, but will want Advice about…

Benjamin Franklin to Anne-Robert-Jacques, baron de l’Aulne Turgot, April 2, 1777

Passy, April 2. 1777 Sir, M. Cenis 1 being at Bourdeaux, will easily find Ships there bound to some Part of North America, as I am told that scarce a…

Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, April 2, 1777

Paris, April 2. 1777. Sir, As I see that the Congress has resolved upon raising 3000 Horse for the ensuing Campaign I hope M. de Cenis 2 the bearer of…