Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790) to David Hartley

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04449 Author/Creator: Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790) Place Written: Passy, France Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 June 1778 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 21.3 x 18.4 cm. Order a Copy

Written by Franklin as a diplomat in France to Hartley as a member of the British Parliament. The two were friends since the 1760s. References a letter he wrote to Hartley on 25 May 1778 concerning 200 British prisoners of war. Franklin says "We are oblig'd to keep the Prisoners on shipboard where I doubt they can be comfortably accommodated" and hopes they can be exchanged. Hartley and Franklin would later work together in Paris to sign the peace treaty ending the war. Docketing appears to be in Hartley's hand.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Passy June 8. 1778
Dear Sir,

I wrote you a few Lines the 25th of last Month, mentioning that we had here 200 English Prisoners, and desiring you to propose an Exchange. - I hope you receiv'd my Letter and that I shall soon be favour'd with an Answer - We are oblig'd to keep the Prisoners [inserted: on Shipboard] where I doubt they cannot be comfortably accomodated. - I am ever, with the greatest Esteem, Dear Sir,
Your most obedient
humble Servant
B Franklin

[address]
To
David Hartley Esq
Member of Parliament
Golden Square
London

Pr favour
Mr Strange

[docket]
D. F. June 9
78

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

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