American affairs which, from the present arbitrary measures, is likely soon to take place, you will find yourself in no comfortable situation, and perhaps wish you had soon disengaged yourself. B. FRANKLIN. TO JONATHAN WILLIAMS PASSY, 22 December, 1777. DEAR NEPHEW:-You need be under no concern as to your orders being only from Mr. Deane. As you have always acted up rightly and ably for the public service, you would be justified if you had no orders at all, but as he generally consulted with me and had my approbation in the orders he gave, and I know they were for the best and aimed at the public good, I hereby certify you that I approve and join in these you have received from him and desire you to proceed in the execution of the same. B. FRANKLIN. MEMORANDUM OF DR. FRANKLIN "du petit Luxembourg, Sundy, ce 6 may, 1777 "L'abbé Niccoli prie Monsieur franklin de lui faire l'honneur de venir dejeuner chés luy Mercredy matin 28 de ce mois à 9 heures du matin. Il luy donnera une bonne tasse de chocolat. "Il L'assure de son respect." The above is a note from Abbé Niccoli, Minister of the Grand Duke (of Tuscany). The intention of it was to give the Emperor an opportunity of an interview with me, that should appear accidental. M. Turgot and L'Abbé were there to be present, and, by their knowledge of what passed, to prevent or contradict false reports. The Emperor did not appear, and the Abbé since tells me that the number of other persons who occasionally visited him that morning, of which the Emperor was informed, prevented his coming; that at 12, understanding they were gone, he came; but I was gone also. A MONSIEUR DE TAVAREZ, SEIGNEUR DE RELAAR, DOCTEUR EN DROIT ET EN MÉDECINE, à zwolle en HOLLANDE PARIS, 4 January, 1778. SIR: The account given in the newspapers of my having furnished the physicians with a receipt against the dropsy is a mistake. I know nothing of it, nor did I ever hear before that tobacco ashes had any such virtue. I thank you for your kind congratulations on our late successes and good wishes for the establishment of our liberty. I have the honor to be respectfully, sir, your most obedient, humble servant, B. FRANKLIN. TO M. DUMAS 22 September, 1778. We have made overtures to the G——— P—. We took that to be a regular and kind mode of If he gives us proceeding. We expect an answer. none, we shall naturally conclude that there is no disposition in their H H: M M: to have any connection with the United States of America; and, I believe, we shall give them no further trouble-at least that would be my opinion. I know your nation, having been frequently there, and much esteeming the people, and wishing for a firm union between the two republics. On the other side, our virgin state is a jolly one, and though at present not very rich, will in time be a great fortune to any suitor, and where she has a favorable predisposition, it seems to me to be well worth cultivating. Cætera desunt. TO DE CHAUMONT PASSY, 10 May, 1779. DEAR SIR:-I received the letter you did me the honor to write to me the 1st inst. That enclosed for the Marquis de Lafayette was sent to him directly. The other, for M. de Sartine, was carried to Marly by my son; but he being at Paris, it was brought back and delivered to him there the next morning. His answer has been ever since expected, to be returned by your express, but not arriving, we suppose he has sent it by some other opportunity. All Paris now talks of the Marquis de Lafayette's going to America with troops, etc. From Holland I have certain advice, that the States - General have come to a resolution to give convoys to their merchant ships, notwithstanding the last memorial of Sir Joseph York; and to fit out immediately 32 sail of men-ofwar for that purpose. This resolution was taken the 26th past. With the greatest esteem and affection, I am ever, dear sir, your most obedient and most humble servant, B. FRANKLIN. TO COMMODORE JONES PASSY, 6 December, 1779. SIR:-As the arrangements that M. le Duc de la Vauguyon, Ambassador of the King in Holland, must make with the States-General, for the free departure from the Texel of the French and American vessels assembled there, may require that the English prisoners taken in merchant ships, and at present on board the Alliance, should be in the disposition of the Ambassador, I do hereby desire and order, that the said prisoners be sent on board the Pallas and the Vengeance whenever M. le Duc de la Vauguyon shall require it. With much esteem and best wishes for your prosperity, I have the honor to be, sir, etc., B. FRANKLIN. TO THE HONORABLE, THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, The memorial of the Honorable Benjamin Franklin and Samuel Wharton humbly sheweth: That on the 5th day of November, 1768, his Britannic Majesty, at a congress held with the Six Nations of Indians at Fort Stanwick, purchased from the said Indians a very extensive tract of country, situate near the province of New York, and upon the river Ohio in North America, the limits and boundaries of which tract are mentioned and described in the deed of sale and conveyance from the said Indians to his said Majesty. That the consideration paid by his said Majesty's agent to the said Indians, on their executing the said conveyance, amounted to £10,460 7s. 3d. sterling, exclusive of other considerations referred to in the said conveyance. That in June, 1769, a petition was presented to his said Majesty by your memorialists, in behalf of themselves and several persons residing in the United States and Great Britain, proposing to purchase 2,400,000 acres, part of the said tract, at such price and subject to such quit-rents as should be thought reasonable, and the petitioners humbly proposed that a grant of the lands, under the great seal of Great Britain, should be made to them and their heirs and assigns; and that such grant should particularly specify the several and respective boundaries and limits within which the lands thereby granted should be located or set out. That the said petition having been referred, by his said Majesty in council, to the Earl of Hillsborough and the other Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, your memorialists and several of their associates attended their Lordships in the month of December, 1769, on the subject of the said petition, |