Benjamin Franklin was an American polymath: a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher and political philosopher. Among the most influential intellectuals of his time, Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States; a drafter and signer of the Declaration of Independence; and the first postmaster general.
A Versailles Le 2 Mars 1781 Sage et docte Excellence Il vous Serait impossible d’empêcher nos Rimeurs de vous celebrer du mieux qu’ils peuvent; nos dessinateurs de Saisir, tant bien…
Bordeaux 3 March 1781 Sir As we are making up our Accounts to tranfer to New Ballance Inclosed I take the liberty to transmit you the State of my Account…
Paris Le 3 mars 1781 Monsieur J’ai Reçu L’honneur de La vôtre 2 par laquelle vous me demandés Les p. L’s. et L’j Long. Je Croyois qu’il vous manquoit seulement…
Warwick march 3d 1781 Dear Brother You will forgive the Incorectnes of my Leter when I tell you I most comonly write on very short Notice of an opertunity as…
Nantes 6 March 1781 Dear & Hond Sir As the English News Writers have been endeavouring to hurt us by giving bad News, I think it my Duty to give…
rue roÿalle butte St. Roch le 7 Mars. [1781] 3 Mon cher Papa, Il y à des Siècles que je ne vous ai vû—je trouve ce tems bien long, parceque…
Paris Sunday 11 March. 1781 Mr. Searle’s Compliments wait on Doctor Franklin & requests he will be so kind as to give directions for furnishing Mr. S, with the necessary…
Madrid 12. March 1781. Dear Sir, Since writing a Letter which you will receive by the same Courier which brings this I am informed from good authority that Mr. Cumberland…
Groton 12 March 1781 Sir My nephew Mr. Gurdon S. Mumford writes me you have been kind enough (at the Request of my worthy friend Silas Deane Esqr.) to admit…
ce 12. mars 1781. Foible Traduction de ce Vers Sur M. francklin. Eripuit cœlo fulmen et Sceptra tyrannis. Quel problême il osa résoudre; que ne lui doit pas l’univers! aux…
L’Orient 13th March 1781. Sir, In my last 8 I forgot to acquaint your Excellency how very poorly the Ship Alliance is mann’d and the great risque we rund in…
Hartford 13th March 1781 Worthy Sir I have Just recd. a Letter per Capt. Jones from my Son Gurdon in which he greatfully acknowledges your kindness in admitting him into…
L’Orient 13th. March 1781. May it please your Excellency, It is near eighteen months since the Serapis and Contess of Scarborough were taken by us, the Bonhomme Richard, Pallas &…
London 20 March 1781 Dear sir I just receivd yours of the 8th which surprises me not a little, as by the Letter inclosed 6 I perceive the person to…
Paris ce 20 mars 1781 Permettes Monsieur que Jaye lhonneur de Vous presenter la reduction de la Carte que Vs. aves bien voulu me Communiquer. Cest un homage que je…
Nantes March 20 1781 Dear & hond Sir. I have the pleasure to inform you that the Marquis de la Fayette is now loaded & ready for the Sea. I…
Versailles le 22. mars 1781. Monsieur Pinet prémier Commis de la marine a L’honneur d’envoyer à Monsieur franklin La Lettre cy jointe qui est venue Sous Son couvert, de Granville.…
L’Orient 23d. March 1781. Sir I had the Honor to receive yours dated the 17th. inst. 8 but it leaves me intirely in the dark.— As I have no orders…
paris samedi 27 mars [ i.e. , March 24, 1781] 7 M de Chalut a lhonneur de faire Ses compliments à Monsieur franklin, et de Le prier d’engager M. Laurens…
[March 24, 1781?] 9 Dear sir. In order to be ready with the memorial for to morrow it will be necessary for me to devote this afternoon to writing— I…
Madrid 25th. March 1781 Dear Sir, At the Embassadors Table I had the Pleasure of meeting Mr. Senrat the Bearer of this Letter. 1 He hath just returned to Europe…
a Sanois Dimanche au Soir [April 1, 1781] 3 Madame la Comtesse D’houdetot Et toutte Sa Societé Sont tres affligées de ne pas Voir Demain Monsieur franklin. Madame D’houdetot Espere…
Madrid 1 April 1781 Dr Sir Notwithstanding my repeated and earnest applications to the Count D Florida Blanca I have as yet been able to obtain only, 34880 dollars of…
L’Orient April 2. 1781. Dear & hond sir. I informed you in my last that the Marquis de la Fayette would sail the next day, accordingly on thursday the 29…