The Compleated Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (1757-1790)

by Benjamin Franklin

  A merchant of Amsterdam... PBF 29:144, BF to Vergennes, Mar. 17, 1779.

  I had in various ways... PBF 29:551-53, BF to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, May 26, 1779.

  As to our finances in France, ... PBF 29:554-55, BF to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, May 26, 1779.

  The Committee of Commerce... PBF 32:185-86, BF to William Carmichael, Mar. 31, 1780.

  Our credit and weight... PBF 33:354, BF to John Adams, Oct. 2, 1780.

  At length I got over a reluctance... PBF 33:358, BF to John Jay, Oct. 2, 1780.

  The principal difficulty.... PBF 26:160, The Committee for Foreign Affairs to the American Commissioners: Two Letters,” Mar. 24, 1778; PBF 29:355-56, BF to Samuel Cooper, Apr. 22, 1779.

  I took all the pains I could in... PBF 29:355-56, BF to Samuel Cooper, Apr. 22, 1779.

  This effect of paper currency.... PBF 29:355-56, BF to Samuel Cooper, Apr. 22, 1779.

  An expedition to Canada was... PBF 29:606, BF to John Jay, June 2, 1779.

  Correspondence between friends.... PBF 29:602, BF to Charles Carroll, June 2, 1779; PBF 29:597, BF to Richard Bache, June 2, 1779; PBF 33:381, BF to Georgiana Shipley, Oct. 8, 1780.

  I did take time to write my old friend Thomas Viny... When all the bustle is over.... PBF 29:431, BF to Thomas Viny, May 4, 1779.

  I thought every day of my grandson... PBF 30:241, BF to Benjamin Franklin Bache, Aug. 19, 1779.

  I received a letter from Madame Brillon.... Madame Brillon to BF, May 3, 1779; May 8, 1779; May 11, 1779.

  You told me, my dear daughter....I am aware that.... BF to Madame Brillon, May 11, 1779.

  I am charm’d with your description.... You ask what I mean? .... This, however, was afterwards.... Yet I ought to have charity.... BF to Madame Brillon, Nov. 10, 1779.

  Instead of spending this Wednesday evening.... I was charm’d with your description.... When I was a child of seven.... This, however, was afterwards.... Yet I ought to have charity.... PBF 31:73-75, “The Whistle,” Nov. 10, 1779.

  I assure you, my kind papa.... Mr. Brillon laughed.... A week from Saturday... Madame Brillon to BF, Nov. 16, 1779.

  In America, there was an intention to strike.... The other side I proposed to fill with.... PBF 30:430, BF to Edward Bridgen, Oct. 2, 1779.

  We gave the English a little taste... PBF 30:545-46, BF to the Eastern Navy Board, Oct. 17, 1779; PBF 30:559, BF to David Hartley, Oct. 19, 1779; PBF 30:566, BF to Jonathan Loring Austin, Oct. 20, 1779; PBF 30:583-84, BF to Jane Mecom, Oct. 25, 1779; PBF 30:597-98, BF to Samuel Cooper, Oct. 27, 1779.

  Accounts upon oath were taken in America... PBF 31:439, BF to David Hartley, Feb. 2, 1780; PBF 32:557, BF to William Hodgson, June 19, 1780.

  Meanwhile, the French Court ... PBF 30:549, BF to James Lovell, Oct. 17, 1779.

  I frequently heard the old generals.... BF 32:57, BF to George Washington, Mar. 5, 1780.

  Messrs. Lee and Izard together... PBF 32:186-87, BF to William Carmichael, Mar. 31, 1780.

  The Alliance was expected to sail... PBF 32:448, BF to Samuel Huntington, May 31, 1780; PBF 32:488-89, BF to Officers of the Alliance, June 7, 1780; PBF 32:506-07, BF to John Paul Jones, June 12, 1780; PBF 32:542, BF to William Carmichael, June 17, 1780.

  I went immediately to Versailles.... PBF 32:448, BF to Samuel Huntington, May 31, 1780; PBF 32:488-89, BF to Officers of the Alliance, June 7, 1780; PBF 32:506-07, BF to John Paul Jones, June 12, 1780; PBF 32:542, BF to William Carmichael, June 17, 1780.

  I learned later that the Landais affair... PBF 32:612, BF to John Paul Jones, June 27, 1780; PBF 34:107, BF to Samuel Huntington, Dec. 3, 1780.

  My time was more taken up... PBF 32:187-88, BF to William Carmichael, Mar. 31, 1780; PBF 32:516, BF to John Jay, June 13, 1780; PBF 32:187-88, BF to William Carmichael, Mar. 31, 1780; PBF 32:615, BF to Jonathan Williams, Jr., June 27, 1780.

  I received a kind letter... PBF 32:195, Robert Morris to BF, Mar. 31, 1780.

  A year later, I received a letter.... have just received your very... PBF 35:311-12, BF to Robert Morris, July 26, 1781.

  London was in the utmost confusion... PBF 32:541, BF to William Carmichael, June 17, 1780; PBF 32:546, BF to Samuel Wharton, June 17, 1780.

  The privateers Black Prince... PBF 33:171, BF to Samuel Huntington, Aug. 10, 1781.

  In truth England brought itself... PBF 32:452, BF to Samuel Huntington, May 31, 1780; PBF 32:518, BF to John Jay, June 13, 1780.

  I received several pleasing letters... I told Sally that her son Ben wrote me... PBF 35:58-59, BF to Richard and Sarah Bache, May 14, 1781; PBF 34:550, BF to Benjamin Franklin Bache, Apr. 16, 1781; PBF 32:611, BF to Sarah Franklin, June 27, 1780.

  I sent the following letter to my grandson.... It always gives me pleasure to hear.... You see everywhere two sorts of people.... Take care therefore, my dear child.... I am ever, my dear child.... PBF 33:326-27, BF to Benjamin Franklin Bache, Sept. 25, 1780.

  Soon after October... PBF 34:274, BF to John Jay, Jan. 15, 1781; PBF 34:288, BF to Dumas, Jan. 18, 1781; PBF 34:313, BF to John Jay, Jan. 27, 1781.

  I received a letter from a friend... PBF 34:290, BF to Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse, Jan. 18, 1781.

  Dialogue with the Gout....Franklin’s Autobiographical Writings, ed. By Carl Van Doren (Viking Press, 1945), 484-89, Oct. 22, 1780.

  In news from America, I received a large and particular account.... PBF 34:90, BF to James Searle, Nov. 30, 1780; PBF 34:142, BF to Lafayette, Dec. 9, 1780; PBF 34:516, BF to John Adams, Apr. 7 1781; PBF 35:65, BF to the Marquis de Lafayette, May 14, 1781; PBF 85:547, BF to Ingenhousz, Oct. 2, 1781.

  Mr. Henry Laurens, voted envoy... PBF 34:106, BF to Samuel Huntington, Dec. 3, 1780; PBF 34:211, BF to Jonathan Williams, Jr., Dec. 27, 1780; PBF 34:288, BF to Dumas, Jan. 18, 1781.

  Regarding Spain, their long delay... PBF 34:312-13, BF to William Carmichael, Jan. 27, 1781.

  I have long imagined that... PBF 34:519, BF to Francis Dana, Apr. 7, 1781.

  I heard that a motion was made... PBF 34:312, BF to William Carmichael, Jan. 27, 1781.

  By several letters to me..... I was thus charged by Congress... I am grown old... I am with great respect... PBF 34:372-73, BF to Vergennes, Feb. 13, 1781; PBF 34:390, BF to John Adams, Feb. 22, 1781.

  This request was well received... PBF 34:446, BF to Samuel Huntington, Mar. 12—Apr. 12, 1781.

  In January 1781, I passed my 75th year.... Having long tired of the trade of minister... However, I received dispatches .... PBF 35:398-99, BF to William Carmichael, Aug. 24, 1781; PBF 34:447-48, BF to Samuel Huntington (president of Congress), Mar. 12-Apr. 12, 1781; PBF 34:533, BF to John Jay, Apr. 12, 1781; PBF 35:175, Samuel Huntington to BF, June 19, 1781; PBF 35:365, BF to John Adams, Aug. 16, 1781; PBF 35:59, BF to Richard and Sarah Bache, May 14, 1781; PBF 35:66, BF to Marquis de Lafayette, May 14, 1781; PBF 35:84, BF to John Ada ms, May 19, 1781; PBF 35:365, BF to John Adams, Aug. 16, 1781; PBF 35:382, BF to John Jay, Aug. 20, 1781; PBF 35:474-75, BF to Samuel Huntington, Sept. 13, 1781; PBF 35:551, BF to Dr. Ingenhousz, June 21, 1782.

  I had one request more to make... PBF 34:447-48, BF to Samuel Huntington, Mar. 12-Apr. 12, 1781; PBF 34:533, BF to John Jay, Apr. 12, 1781.

  At this time I also spoke to.... Monsieur Brillon raised two..... These essential principles.... However, Monsieur Brillon may have.... BF to Madame Brillon, before Apr. 20, 1781.

  I was so engag’d in public affairs... PBF 34:380, BF to Beccaria, Feb. 19, 1781; PBF 35:69, BF to Samuel Cooper, May 15, 1781.

  It had been a long time since... PBF 35:545, BF to Ingenhousz, Oct. 2, 1781.

  “Go on with your excellent experiments... PBF 35:550, BF to Dr. Ingenhousz, June 21, 1782.

  Those whom I had heard speak... PBF 35:456-57, BF to Dr. Ingenhousz, June 21, 1782.

  The ship having the honour of.... PBF 34:517, BF to John Adams, Apr. 7, 1781; PBF 35:64, BF to the Marquis de Lafayette; PBF 35:68, BF to Samuel Cooper, May 15, 1781; PBF 35:400, BF to William Carmichael, Aug. 24, 1781; PBF 36:17-18, BF to Thomas McKean, Nov. 5, 1781.
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  The Indiana, as she had been formerly... PBF 35:383, BF to John Jay, Aug. 20, 1781.

  I begged Mr. Adams to concur... PBF 34:567-68, BF to John Adams, Apr. 21, 1781; PBF 34:580, BF to John Adams, Apr. 29, 1781; PBF 35:61-62, BF to Samuel Huntington, May 14, 1781; PBF 35:83, BF to John Adams, May 19, 1781; PBF 35:119, BF to the Comte de Vergennes, June 4, 1781.

  Mr. Ferdinand Grand... PBF 35:313, BF to Robert Morris, July 26, 1781.

  I had no doubt that America... PBF 35:83, BF to John Adams, May 19, 1781.

  I have never known a peace made... PBF 35:582, BF to John Adams, Oct. 12, 1781.

  The English played a desperate game... PBF 35:65, BF to Marquis de Lafayette, May 14, 1781.

  There arose a good deal of misunderstanding... PBF 35:151-52, BF to Durival, June 12, 1781; PBF 29:166, BF to Jonathan Williams, Jr., Mar. 19, 1779.

  Thanks to God I still enjoyed health... PBF 35:270, BF to John Temple, July 15, 1781.

  I received a letter from Mr. Jay... PBF 35:379, BF to John Jay, Aug. 20, 1781.

  By this time.... PBF 31:479, BF to Sartine, Feb. 13, 1790; PBF 37:228, BF to William Hodgson, Apr. 26, 1782.

  I received a letter.... PBF 35:237, John Jay to BF, July 9, 1781; PBF 35:380, BF to John Jay, Aug. 20, 1781; PBF 35:477, BF to James Lovell, Sep. 13, 1781.

  I received a letter signed by 280 American soldiers.... The season being cold and blustering.... We are very discontented among us... PBF 31:442-43, BF 280 American Solders to BF, Feb. 3, 1780.

  The prisoners did not sign their above mentioned letter.... PBF 29:282,BF to Schweighauer, Apr. 8, 1779; PBF 29:340, BF to Jonathan Williams, Jr., Apr. 20, 1779; PBF 29:550, BF to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, May 26, 1779.

  I received a letter.... PBF 35:477, BF to James Lovell, Sep. 13, 1781.

  Nevertheless, I ordered another sum... PBF 35:673-74, BF to William Hodgson, Oct. 31, 1781; PBF 37:537, BF to Robert R. Livingston, June 25, 1782.

  Mr. Thomas Digges, an American merchant... PBF 35:381, BF to John Jay, Aug. 20, 1781; PBF 34:475, William Hodgson to BF, Mar. 20, 1781; PBF 34:507, BF to William Hodgson, Apr. 1, 1781; PBF 34:572, BF to William Hodgson, Apr. 25, 1781; PBF 35:340, BF to Moses Brown, Aug. 6, 1781.

  That very great villian Digges... PBF 37:537-38, BF to Robert R. Livingston, June 25, 1782.

  The practice of sending prisoners... PBF 36:14, BF to Thomas McKean, Nov. 5, 1781.

  I received a letter from Francis Coffyn... PBF 35:392-93, BF to Francis Coffyn, Aug. 22, 1781; PBF 36:25, BF to John Adams, Nov. 7, 1781.

  I found that there were no people.... PBF 35:u423, BF to John Jay, Aug. 20, 1781.

  A gentleman arrived from America... PBF 35:381, BF to John Jay, Aug. 20, 1781.

  Col. Laurens... PBF 35:399, BF to William Carmichael, Aug. 24, 1781.

  Holland did not seem to feel for us ... PBF 35:341, BF to Dumas, Aug. 6, 1781; PBF 35:353, BF to Dumas, Aug. 12, 1781.

  I was exceedingly embarrass’d.... PBF 35:429-30, BF to John Adams, Aug. 31, 1781; PBF 35:466, BF to Robert Morris, Sept. 12, 1781.

  The sentiment expressed by Mr. Robert Morris... PBF 36:20, 22, BF to Robert Morris, Nov. 5, 1781.

  I had received a very friendly letter.... BF 35:594, BF to Edmund Burke, Oct. 15, 1781; PBF 36:13, BF to Thomas McKean, Nov. 5, 1781; PBF 36:94, BF to Benjamin Vaughan, Nov. 22, 1781; PBF 36:454, BF to John Jay, Jan. 19, 1782.

  Captain Folger, a relation of mine... PBF 36:67, BF to Jonathan Williams, Jr., Nov. 19, 1781.

  In the summer of 1781.... Her good neighbors.... BF to Madame Brillon, Oct. 1, 1781; BF to Madame Brillon, Oct. 12, 1781; BF to Madame Brillon, Jan. 6, 1782; BF to Madame Brillon, Dec. 25, 1781.

  Being without my good friend.... PBF 35:131, BF to Madame Brillon, Jun 7, 1781; translation by Mary Laure Petipaw and Lesley Skousen-Chio. See also Stacy Schiff, A Great Improvisation (New York: Henry Holt, 2005), 279.

  Later that year.... BF to David Harley, Dec. 15, 1781.

  I wished most heartily that.... PBF 36:102, BF to Thomas Pownall, Nov. 23, 1781.

  We have no safety but in our independence.... PBF 37:563, BF to Samuel Cooper, June 28, 1782.

  8. MINISTER TO FRANCE, 1781-83: PEACE TREATY WITH ENGLAND

  Glorious news! The Duke de Lauzun.... I received a packet.... PBF 36:115, BF to John Adams, Nov. 26, 1781; PBF 36:79, BF to Vergennes, Nov. 20, 1781; PBF 36:454, BF to John Jay, Jan. 19, 1781; PBF 37:87-88, BF to Gen. Washington, Apr. 2, 1782; PBF 36:644, BF to Robert R. Livingston, Mar. 4, 1782.

  Madame Brillon complained.... Madame Brillon to BF, Dec. 11, 1781; BF to Madame Brillon, Dec. 25, 1781.

  From the English papers.... PBF 36:674, BF to Robert Morris, Mar. 9, 1782; PBF 36:680, BF to John Adams, Mar. 11, 1782.

  The French Court was highly disposed.... PBF 36:646, BF to Robert R. Livingston, Mar. 4, 1782.

  However, I long feared that.... PBF 36:411-12, BF to Robert Morris, Jan. 9, 1782; PBF 36:434, BF to Ferdinand Grand, Jan. 15, 1782; PBF 36:438, BF to John Jay, Jan. 15, 1782.

  I drew a bill on Congress.... I had much vexation.... PBF 36:451-52, BF to John Jay, Jan. 19, 1782; PBF 36:438, BF to John Jay, Jan. 15, 1782; PBF 36:651, BF to Robert Morris, Mar. 4, 1782.

  The Marquis de Lafayette was very.... PBF 36:467, BF to William Carmichael, Jan. 23, 1782; PBF 36:644, BF to Robert R. Livingston, Mar. 4, 1782; PBF 36:650, BF to Robert Morris, Mar. 4, 1782.

  Meanwhile, I received a very long political letter.... I was not convinced.... PBF 36:u487, BF to John Jay, Jan. 19, 1782; PBF 37:74, BF to Robert Morris, Mar. 30, 1782; PBF 37:172-73, BF to Silas Deane, Apr. 19, 1782.

  I also received a letter from.... PBF 36:477, BF to Benjamin Franklin Bache, Jan. 25, 1782; PBF 39:u422, BF to Benjamin Franklin Bache, May 2, 1783.

  A gentleman of Lyons.... PBF 36:478, BF to Samuel Cooper Johonnot, Jan. 25, 1782.

  In early 1782, I received the supplication.... BF to Madame Brillon, Jan. 6, 1782.

  Despite the victory at Yorktown. . . . PBF 36:647, BF to Robert R. Livingston, Mar. 4, 1782; PBF 37:79, BF to William Hodgson, Mar. 31, 1782.

  I wrote the following letter to Mr. David Hartley.... PBF 37:u14, BF to David Hartley, Apr. 5, 1782.

  Soon after this we heard.... PBF 37:229, BF to William Hodgson, Apr. 26, 1782; PBF 37:293, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, May 9, 1782; PBF 37:u30, BF to Robert Morris, Apr. 8, 1782; PBF 37:114-15, BF to Robert Morris, Apr. 8, 1782; PBF 37:116, BF to George Washington, Apr. 8, 1782.

  Capt. Barry told me.... PBF 37:41, BF to Jonathan Williams, Jr., and 37:42, BF to Robert Morris, Mar. 30, 1782.

  England at length saw.... PBF 37:u364, BF to Jan. Ingenhousz, June 21, 1782.

  I was one of five.... PBF 37:78-79, BF to David Hartley, Mar. 31, 1782; PBF 37:536-37, BF to Robert R. Livingston, June 25, 1782; PBF 37:u104, BF to John Jay, Apr. 23, 1782.

  I kept a very particular journal.... PBF 37:536, BF to Robert R. Livingston, June 25, 1782; PBF 37:u16, BF to David Hartley, Apr. 5, 1782; PBF 37:250, David Hartley to BF, May 1, 1782.

  Great affairs sometimes take.... PBF 37:292-93, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, May 9, 1782.

  Soon after this we heard.... PBF 37:293, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, Mar. 22, 1782.

  Mr. Oswald came accordingly... PBF 37:294, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, Apr. 16, 1782.

  On our return from Versailles... PBF 37:295, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, April 19, 1782.

  The next morning when.... PBF 37:295-96, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, Apr. 19, 1782; PBF 37:181, BF to John Adams, Apr. 21, 1782.

  I then touch’d upon the affair.... PBF 37:296, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, Apr. 19, 1782.

  He then told me that... PBF 37:297, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, Apr. 19, 1782.

  By the first opportunity.... PBF 37:297, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, Apr. 19, 1782.

  On the 4th of May, 1782, Mr. Oswald.... PBF 37:298, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, May 4, 1782.

  Mr. Oswald then show’d me... PBF 37:298-99, Journal of the Peace Negotiation
s, Apr. 27, 1782.

  Mr. Oswald also inform’d.... PBF 37:299, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, May 4, 1782.

  Finally Mr. Oswald acquainted me... PBF 37:299, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, May 4, 1782.

  Mr. Oswald repeated to me... PBF 37:300, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, May 5, 1782.

  Several days later, I had but just sent.... PBF 37:301, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, May 8, 1782.

  Vergennes was glad to hear... PBF 37:302, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, May 8, 1782.

  “To be sure,”.... PBF 37:303, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, May 8, 1782.

  “As to our being satisfied with.... PBF 37:303-04, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, May 8, 1782.

  The coming and going.... PBF 37:305, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, May 8, 1782.

  On May 13, 1782, I received the good news.... PBF 37:362-63, BF to David Hartley, May 13, 1782.

  On May 26, Mr. Grenville... PBF 37:313-14, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, May 36, 1782.

  Mr. Jay wrote me from time.... PBF 37:310, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, May 13, 1782.

  It seems to me that we have.... PBF 37:310, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, May 13, 1782.

  The northern princes are.... PBF 37:312, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, May 13, 1782; PBF 37:538, BF to Robert R. Livingston, June 25, 1782.

  I have never yet known.... PBF 37:415-16, BF to Henry Laurens, May 25, 1782; PBF 37:609, BF to Benjamin Vaughan, July 10, 1782.

  During the negotiations.... PBF 37:316, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, May 27, 1782.

  Mr. Grenville came.... PBF 37:318, 323, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, May 25, 1782.

  As to the loyalists.... PBF 37:326, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, June 3, 1782; BF to Henry Laurens, Mar. 20, 1783.

  He had also, in consequence... PBF 37:326-27, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, June 3, 1782.

  On Tuesday June 11, 1782... PBF 37:335, Journal of the Peace Negotiations, June 11, 1782.