The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, Vol. 39: January 21 through May 15, 1783 (The Papers of Benjamin Franklin Series) (v. 39) - Hardcover

Franklin, Benjamin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0300134487 ISBN 13: 9780300134483

Publisher: Yale University Press, 2009

Synopsis

The thirty-ninth volume of the collected writings and correspondences of the American statesman, ambassador, and Founding Father Benjamin Franklin
 
In the four months following the January 20, 1783, armistice that ended the War for American Independence, Franklin was remarkably energetic as he helped oversee the transition to peace and waged a multifaceted campaign to publicize the ideals of the new nation. Though political turmoil in Britain delayed negotiations for the definitive peace treaty, Franklin deftly negotiated America’s first commercial treaty with a neutral nation, Sweden, which was signed in secret. He distributed his richly symbolic Libertas Americana medal, worked toward the publication of his French edition of the American state constitutions, and fielded scores of letters from people all over Europe who sought to emigrate, to establish trade connections with the United States, to become consuls, and to offer congratulations and advice.

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Edited by Ellen R. Cohn; Jonathan R. Dull, Senior Associate Editor; Karen Duval, Associate Editor; Kate M. Ohno, Michael Sletcher, and Philipp Ziesche, Assistant Editors; Alicia K. Anderson, Editorial Associate; Elizabeth Morris, Editorial Assistant; Claude A. Lopez, Consulting Editor

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

THE PAPERS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

The American Philosophical Society volume 39 January 21 through May 15,1783By ELLEN R. COHN

YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS

Copyright © 2008 American Philosophical Society Held at Philadelphia for Promoting Useful Knowledge and by Yale University
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-300-13448-3

Chapter One

From Charles-Gabriel de Messey

ALS: American Philosophical Society

Monsieur [after January 20, 1783]

Jay apris avec la mesme Satisfaction lheureuse nouvelle de la paye finie que selle de la liberti que nos hommes ont procuri au quatorze provinse de la Merique, Evenement qui Eternise a james la mimoire dun des plus grant homme de notre siecle en votre Respectable persone. Permette moi monsieur davoir lhoneur de vous an faire mon compliment, je doit set omage a toutte les marque de bonti et damitii dont il vous a plut mhonorer pandan mon sijour chi monsieur et madame le roy mes anfants qui mont procure lavantage de ferre votre conessance insy que selle de monsieur votre fils bien digne dimiter les tallants et les vertu Eroique dun ausy grant homme que vous monsieur.

Permetti quil trouve isy mes tres humbles complimant il ne me restroit a disirer que destre themoins de tout Les omages que votre nasion randront a vos vertus Eroique qui leurs procure tout les avantages dont ils vont jouire je desir que se que le roy mon maitre et la nasion a fet an faveur dun peuple ausy belliqueu unise pour tous les siecles avenir les deux nasions et quil vous plaise de ne james doutter du respectueux attachement avec le quel jay lhoneur Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur Messey

To Robert R. Livingston

Two als and transcript: National Archives; press copy of ALS: Myron Kaller and Associates, Asbury Park, New Jersey (1991)

Sir, Passy, Jany. 21. 1783.

I have just received your Letters of Novr. 9. & Decr. 3. This is to inform you, & to request you would inform the Congress, that the Preliminaries of Peace between France, Spain, and England were yesterday signed, and a Cessation of Arms agreed to by the Ministers of those Powers, and by us in Behalf of the United States: Of which Act, so far as relates to us, I inclose a Copy. I have not yet obtained a Copy of the Preliminaries agreed to by the three Crowns, but hear in general that they are very advantageous to France and Spain. I shall be able in a Day or two to write more fully and perfectly. Holland was not ready to sign Preliminaries, but their principal Points are settled. Mr Laurens is absent at Bath, and Mr Jay in Normandy, for their Healths, but will both be here to assist in forming the Definitive Treaty. I congratulate you & our Country, on the happy Prospects afforded us by the Finishing so speedily this glorious Revolution; and am with great Esteem, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant B Franklin

Honble. R. R. Livingston Esqr

From Marie-Anne Le Page Fiquet, Dame Duboccage AL: American Philosophical Society

[after January 21, 1783] Mde. Duboccage rend mille tres humbles graces a Mr. franklin; la Vision de Colomb donne une champ bien vaste a l'imagination du pokte et l'ange avoit Sans doute privu qu'il nantroit un ligislateur tel que le tres docte franklin pour donner la liberti, de bonnes loix et Beaucoup de gloire a son paos.

Mde. Duboccage ne renvoie point l'imprimi en cas qu'elle trouve quelqu'un qui voulut souscrire.

From Jean-Jacques Caffiiri ALS: American Philosophical Society Monsieur De Paris ce 22 janvier 1783

L'europe entiere a Les yeux sur L'epoque ` jamais memorable de La liberti de l'amerique, votre patrie Scait apprecier L'etendue de vos Lumieres, et combien vous ave contribui a La Rendre L'egale Des Roys-peutetre S'empressera t'elle de Transmettre a La Posteriti Cette Epoque qui L'immortalise, par un Monument qui en atteste La Gloire, ou Rendre a vos Compatriotes Sacrifies pour La Cause Commune Le Tribut De Reconnoissance et de Regrets qu'elle leur Doits, Dans L'une ou L'autre de ces circonstances je vous Suplie de vouloir bien contribuer a faire emplooer mes Talens, et D'etre persuadi que je mettrai tous mes Soins et mon Zele a me Rendre Digne de votre choix.

J'ay Lhonneur D'etre avec Respect Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres obeossant Serviteur Caffieri

Notation: Caffiery 22 Janr. 1783.

From - Gebhard and Other Favor Seekers ALS: American Philosophical Society

As usual, Franklin receives a steady stream of requests for favors of all kinds. The first of these, printed below, asks him to forward a letter.

Four other letters request a similar favor. On March 29 Wilhelm Augustine von Steuben, writing in German from C|strin, begs Franklin once again to forward a letter to his son the general, and in return will pray for His Excellency and the sons of the United States. He wishes Franklin to say whether he and the general have received his earlier missives, for he has had no word from his son.

Two days later, H. Adolphe Hoffmeister sends a letter from Heidelberg to be forwarded to his brother-in-law Doll and thanks Franklin for his continuing assistance.

The abbi de Floirac, vicar-general of the archbishopric of Paris, tells Franklin on April 9 that, in the "Nouvel empire que vous Venez de crier," there is a young Frenchman, the chevalier d'Anterroches, who is married and has children. The chevalier has complained to his mother, the comtesse d'Anterroches, that her letters are not delivered promptly. The comtesse hopes that Franklin will agree to forward her letters in the future.

The peace has renewed the worries of one family: Frangoise de Brahm writes from Coblentz on April 27 to ask for news of her brother,1who has not answered any of her letters for the past year. His last letter, a year ago, was sent from Philadelphia. Franklin forwarded the family's letters earlier in the war; would he again forward one to her brother and find out if he is still alive?

In February, Franklin received three requests for ships' passports. The first one, in English, comes from London on February 7: Thomas Backhouse, thinking that an English ship might not be safe entering an American port "at this Crisis," wishes a pass for the Active ( J. Powell, master), loaded at Liverpool with salt and other merchandise bound for Philadelphia.

The Ostend firm of De Vinck & Co. asks Franklin's protection on February 13 for a business they intend to establish in either Boston or Philadelphia. They already have an agent in the latter place, Rodolph Tillier. While in The Hague, Tillier became acquainted with John Adams, who gave him letters of recommendation. They hope that Franklin will be likewise obliging, by advising them and sending passports for the two ships they intend to send to one or the other city under the Imperial flag. Their "Sieur De Vinck," who will deliver this to Franklin, is commissary in Flanders for the navy of the States of Holland; he lives in Dunkirk and is a French subject.

Louis Vivier writes on February 22 from La Rochelle, optimistic that the arrival of peace will occasion commercial relations between the United States and the ports of France. To that end he is prepared to send a ship to the Chesapeake and desires a passport if one is necessary to unload the cargo.

Other merchants require assistance to further their enterprises or help with ventures gone awry. The vicomte de Faudoas8 writes on February 4 to ask a favor for Captain Harel of the Marie-Thirhse, a merchant ship about to leave Le Havre with a cargo for Philadelphia. Harel would like to be able to say that he has had the honor of Franklin's acquaintance, and wishes a few letters of recommendation. He is truly a man of merit and worthy of these kindnesses. Moreover, he will be one of the first Frenchmen to arrive in America since the peace.

On February 13 the chevalier de Mailly, marquis de Neelle, seeks information for a venture not yet undertaken: he has heard that the United States is prepared to grant vast tracts of uncultivated land on very advantageous terms and that there is an agent at Paris in charge of handling these concessions. He would be most grateful if Franklin could inform him of the arrangements the United States has made.

Jean-Pierre Carayon and the widows Blaud and Ducastel, inhabitants of Nnmes, write on February 16. At the end of 1781 the husbands of the two widows, associates of Carayon, embarked with a cargo for America. The following August they arrived at New Bern, North Carolina, by way of Martinique, and had set about selling or exchanging their merchandise when they both fell ill and died. Vanschellebeck and Mailhot, French merchants with whom they had deposited their effects, have notified the survivors and offered to represent them before the state. Their confidence in the French firm has been bolstered by the recommendation of Monsieur Chaponel, a resident of the state who is to become French consul. Will Franklin please ensure that the powers to represent their interests, which they have sent to the firm, are respected by the state authorities?

Two merchants from Germany, N. Westerwick of L|beck and Friedrich Steyn of Berlin, write in English from Paris on February 17 requesting the letters for Philadelphia and Boston that Franklin has promised them. They travel separately to pursue individual business opportunities and request separate letters.

J.-Fr. Ruellan de Gallinie, a merchant of Saint-Malo, writes on February 20 for friends who wish information about letters of exchange received for a cargo sold in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1778. If Franklin has the time, could he tell them what the Carolina pound is worth in livres tournois and what return they might expect? In a postscript Ruellan adds that, although he does not have the honor of knowing Franklin, his visits to Paris have taken him often to houses that Franklin has honored with his presence.

J.-P. Viollier, a Geneva merchant, writes on March 17 concerning the estate of Denis Pallard, a former captain in the Geneva army who absconded to America with a part of his small fortune, leaving behind certain "disagrimens" and a wife and four young children. Viollier, who has learned that Pallard probably died in Charleston before the city was taken by the English, has been appointed guardian to the children, and wishes now to retrieve the remains of Pallard's fortune. Could Franklin recommend him to someone to whom he could address his power of attorney? He encloses a two-page memoir about Pallard's activities since his departure in early 1778.

The Baron de La Marck et Stein, seigneur de la libre imperiale seigneurie de Stein, writes from Stein in Germany on March 23. He had traveled to America from Surinam in the hope of settling there and establishing a commercial firm, but has had to return to Europe, where he and his wife own land. Dutch bankers, ignorant of North America, have refused him the credit he needs for his venture. His youngest son has remained in Boston with Martin Brimmer to learn the language and the commerce of the country. He has other contacts among the local merchants there and in Providence. On his return to America he will take with him a number of people who will contribute to improving agricultural practices. Will Franklin please extend credit to him and recommend him to some French merchants?

That same day but closer to home, the marquis de La Salle, Franklin's successor as vinirable of the Neuf Sœurs, requests a letter of recommendation for the son of M. Poulletier, a wealthy and respected merchant of Paris, who is being sent to Philadelphia with a large cargo of goods. La Salle has been pressed on all sides to intervene for the merchant; indeed, Mme la marquise Dervillers, "femme aussi aimable que jolie," will be grateful to Franklin for helping this gallant man whom she has known for a long time. He adds that the lodge has decided on May 5 as the date of the celebration of the peace, an event Franklin has promised to attend.

M. Mazue, a merchant from Marseille, writes on March 24 to beg Franklin's help. He sank his entire fortune into merchandise sold in America; unfortunately, the captain accepted paper money for the goods, not realizing that the currency had depreciated. Could he exchange this money for land in America? If Franklin does not think this likely, could he at least help Mazue obtain a passage to America, where he could petition Congress in person? A month later, on April 23, the chevalier de Cachard, a captain in the grenadiers of Saluce and a vassal of the king of Sardinia, writes a letter urging Franklin to reply to Mazue, who faces certain ruin unless he can find some livelihood more reliable than that of commerce.

On March 26 the firm of Devoulx frhres of Marseille8 writes for information on exchange rates and on how to cash in loan office certificates received for cargo shipped on the Hazard, Captain Nicolas, and sold at Baltimore in 1778.

Daniel Astruc writes to Franklin from Bordeaux on May 6, asking for help in recovering the 576 l.t. 9 s. 2 d. he is owed by "sieur Grive de la Nouvelle Angleterre" for textiles purchased on January 17, 19, 30, and March 13. A copy of Grive 's account is enclosed. Astruc extended unlimited credit to him over his four-month stay in Bordeaux because he believed him to be a New Englander acting under Franklin's authority. Grive left for Paris on the public coach, commonly called the "Turgotine," two days ago. Astruc is acquainted with Vergennes, and hopes that Franklin will forgive this request out of consideration for that minister.

Several people seek positions for themselves or others. Alexandre- Andronique Gika, who has come to Paris to search for employment, writes the first of three letters on March 6. He was born in Turkey to a family of some standing, has received the most careful education, and has traveled throughout Asia, Europe, and most of Africa. His applications at Versailles have met with promises and even a kind of pension, but now he offers his services to the United States. He speaks many languages, knows almost every district on earth, has contacts everywhere, and is persuaded that he can manage almost any business. If Franklin permits, he will present his letters of recommendation in person. Having received no response, Gika repeats his request on March 21, adding more about his career. He served with the Russians during the Russo-Turkish War, but when he did not receive payment, he went to London and sought the help of John Elphinston, formerly a rear-admiral in the Russian navy. Finding that Elphinston could do nothing for him, Gika came to Paris. The marquis de Castries has made promises to him these past six months, but Gika is tired of waiting and wishes to sacrifice the rest of his days to the republic of the United States. A third letter from Gika, this one undated, asks on behalf of a friend if the Americans would appoint a Jew as consul at Marseille. A person of quality desires to solicit the position for a merchant there named Sylva.

M. de Boisroger, honorary inspector of manufactures at Chartres, writes from that city on March 14. Although he is not well enough known to Franklin to ask anything for himself, he solicits a position for a fellow native of Chartres who will present this letter. Chauveau, now 25 or 26 years old, had so impressed the late bishop Fleury that he found a place for the young man at the seminary of Saint-Sulpice and paid his way. Before completing his degree, he was diverted from his studies by the comte d'Albon, who wished the young man to accompany him on his travels. Chauveau later left d'Albon to become preceptor to the children of M. de La Linihre, a colonel in the cavalry, rigiment du roi, but again was disappointed in his hopes for advancement and returned to Paris where he has been teaching geography and mathematics. Boisroger hopes also to be useful to Franklin in his exchanges with the French court.

The mayor of Abbeville, M. de Pioger, writes a general letter of recommendation on April 17 for young M. Le Febvre de Villers, the son of a distinguished local magistrate and the scion of a military family. The young man is endowed with talents, vigor, enterprise, and rural knowledge.

Several correspondents send Franklin samples of their work for his approbation or evaluation. On March 13 M. Bonzon, the rector of a school in Trivoux, where he teaches grammar, submits to Franklin his idea for this year's dialogue, an annual end-of-year exercise. The topic is the "Anglo-Franci-Amiricaine" war. Characters will be England, the mother country who imposed taxes upon taxes; the malcontented Americans, inspired by the genius of France; the king of France, who assured them of protection; Spain, who joined France; and so on. To succeed, Bonzon needs the names of the leaders of the revolution, the most illustrious members of Congress, and certain key generals. If Franklin does not have the goodness to supply him with "Matiriaux Solides," he will have to make things up out of thin air and his own imagination.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from THE PAPERS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLINby ELLEN R. COHN Copyright © 2008 by American Philosophical Society Held at Philadelphia for Promoting Useful Knowledge and by Yale University. Excerpted by permission.
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Edition details

• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0300134487
• ISBN 13: 9780300134483
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 752
• Editor: Cohn Ellen R.