Our collection of articles, records and reviews about Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine.
Paine’s project was more appreciative of the potentialities of iron than either the Coaibrookdale Iron Bridge, based as it was on principles of wood construction, or Burden’s bridge, which, it was agreed by all observers, was based on the principles of stone construction.
Volney was the author of a great many works but it is beyond question that his most influential was “The Ruins”. It first appeared in France in 1791 (the year that saw Part 1 of Paine’s Rights of Man appear), and soon ran through several editions.
C.F. Volney, The Forgotten Revolutionary And Scientist Read Post »
I did not think I should discover additional facts to further lend support to my thesis. I am happy to have found this evidence, which irrefutably proves Paine’s direct connection with the Declaration of Independence, that I am constrained to make it the subject of this special article.
To Benjamin Franklin Bache August 5, 1795 PARIS, SIR: I have lately published a small tract entitled Dissertations upon first Principles of Government. As the press was set in English as well as in French I have struck off an additional quantity. You will receive a package containing 5000 about three hundred of which are
From the original letter at the American Philosophical Society Paris June 22nd, 1787 My Dear Sir We left N York the 26 April, and arrived at Havre de Grace 26 of May saturday — On the Monday I set off in company with Mr. Germon a French gentle man passenger from America for Paris. I
From the original letter at the American Philosophical Society Dear Sir I mentioned in one of my essays of my design of going this Spring to Europe. I intend landing in france and from thence to England, and that I should take the model with me. The time I had fixed with myself was May,
To His Excellency Benjamin Franklin March 31, 1787 Read Post »
From the original letter at the American Philosophical Society Dear Sir Borden Town June 6th 1786 The gentleman, Mr. Hall, who presents you with this letter, has the Care of two models for a Bridge, one of wood, the other of cast Iron, which I have the pleasure of submitting to you, as well for
To His Excellency Benjamin Franklin, Esquire June 6th, 1786 Read Post »
From the original letter at the American Philosophical Society Dec. 31st, 1785 I send you the Candles I have been making. In a little time after they are lighted the smoke and flame separate, the one issuing from one end of the candle, and the other from the other end. I suppose this to be
To His Excellency Benjamin Franklin December, 31 1785 Read Post »
From the original letter at the American Philosophical Society New York Sept 23d, 1785 My Dear Sir It gives me exceeding great pleasure to have the opportunity of Congratulating you on your return home and to a land of Peace; and to express to you my heart-felt wishes that the remainder of your days may
To Honorable Benjamin Franklin, ESQ., September 23, 1785 Read Post »
Brest Monday, May 28, 1781 Dear Sir I have just a moment to spare to bid you farewell — We go on Board in an hour or two with a fair wind and every thing ready — I understand that you have expressed a desire to withdraw from Business and I beg leave to assure
From the original letter at the American Philosophical Society Dear Sir Since writing the enclosed, a messenger arrived with a letter from you for Col. Laurens, who is gone to take leave — Col. Laurens in making out his arrangement of supplies as mentioned in my note to you wants some commercial information, and if
From the original letter at the American Philosophical Society Philadelphia, March 4th, ’79 DEAR SIR: I wrote you twice from York Town in June 78, but have not received a line from you since yours of Feb. 7th, 77 by Capt. Folger. I have lately met with a turn, which, sooner or later, happens to
