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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43809 ***
+
+    Benjamin Franklin and
+    the First Balloons
+
+    BY
+
+    ABBOTT LAWRENCE ROTCH
+
+
+    Reprinted from the
+    Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society
+
+    Volume XVIII
+
+
+    WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
+    THE DAVIS PRESS
+    1907
+
+
+
+
+BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AND THE FIRST BALLOONS.
+
+BY ABBOTT LAWRENCE ROTCH.
+
+
+The recent bi-centenary of Franklin's birth, which coincided with the
+revival of interest in balloons, makes this a timely topic, especially
+since Franklin's descriptions of the first balloon ascensions are
+almost unknown and do not appear among his philosophical papers. The
+five letters which I have the honor to present were written to Sir
+Joseph Banks, President of the Royal Society of London, in 1783, when
+Franklin was Minister to the Court of France and, with the collateral
+documents, they give perhaps the most complete and accurate account
+of the beginning of aerial navigation, enlivened with the humor and
+speculation characteristic of the writer. It is certainly remarkable
+that Franklin, in the midst of diplomatic and social duties, could have
+found time to investigate personally this new invention of which he at
+once appreciated the possibilities.
+
+The documents which I publish are copies of Franklin's letters, made
+on thin paper in a copying press (probably the rotary machine invented
+by Franklin), and all but one bear his signature in ink. They have
+corrections in the author's hand-writing and, except for a few words,
+are quite legible. They were purchased by me from Dodd, Mead & Co.,
+in December, 1905, and previously had belonged to G. M. Williamson,
+of Grandview-on-the-Hudson, to whom they had come from Vienna. None
+of the letters appear in Sparks' edition of Franklin's Works, and
+while all but one are included in the collections compiled by Bigelow
+and Smyth, there are numerous inaccuracies, some of which will be
+specified hereafter. Drafts of three of the letters are deposited in
+the University of Pennsylvania, but the existence of one letter and the
+whereabouts of another were unknown to the late Mr. Smyth, the editor
+of the last and most complete edition of Franklin's Works,[1] who made
+careful search for the original documents. Although the American owners
+of these copies did not allow them to be transcribed, Mr. Smyth states
+that he printed one letter from my copy, and he noted how the other
+copies differed from the drafts in the University of Pennsylvania. In
+general it may be said that, whereas Bigelow gives the text without
+paragraphs, capital letters or the old spelling,[2] Smyth follows the
+originals more closely. In view of the historic and scientific interest
+of these letters, they are now printed exactly according to the
+press-copies. The letter dated November 30, appears never to have been
+printed and whereas Smyth reproduced the letter of November 21 from the
+University of Pennsylvania draft, this or another draft (or possibly
+this copy) was in the possession of the French aeronaut, Gaston
+Tissandier, about 1887.[3]
+
+  [1] The Writings of Benjamin Franklin, collected and edited by
+  Albert Henry Smyth, Volume IX, New York, 1906.
+
+  [2] Complete Works of Benjamin Franklin, compiled and edited by
+  John Bigelow, Volume VIII, New York, 1888.
+
+  [3] Histoire des Ballons, Paris, 1887, Volume I, page 29.
+
+
+(THE FIRST HYDROGEN BALLOON.)
+
+PASSY, Aug. 30, 1783.
+
+Sir,
+
+On Wednesday, the 27th Instant the new aerostatic Experiment, invented
+by Mess^rs. Montgolfier, of Annonay, was repeated by M. Charles,
+Professor of experimental Philosophy at Paris.
+
+A hollow Globe 12 feet Diameter was formed of what is called in England
+Oiled Silk, here _Taffetas gommé_, the Silk being impregnated with a
+Solution of Gum elastic in Lintseed Oil, as is said. The Parts were
+sewed together while wet with the Gum, and some of it was afterwards
+passed over the Seams, to render it as tight as possible.
+
+It was afterwards filled with the inflammable Air that is produced by
+pouring Oil of Vitriol upon Filings of Iron, when it was found to have
+a tendency upwards so strong as to be capable of lifting a Weight of 39
+Pounds, exclusive of its own Weight which was 25 lbs. and the Weight of
+the Air contain'd.
+
+It was brought early in the morning to the _Champ de Mars_, a Field in
+which Reviews are sometimes made, lying between the Military School and
+the River. There it was held down by a Cord till 5 in the afternoon,
+when it was to be let loose. Care was taken before the Hour to replace
+what Portion had been lost, of the inflammable Air, or of its Force, by
+injecting more.
+
+It is supposed that not less than 50,000 People were assembled to see
+the Experiment. The Champ de Mars being surrounded by Multitudes, and
+vast Numbers on the opposite Side of the River.
+
+At 5 aClock Notice was given to the Spectators by the Firing of two
+Cannon, that the Cord was about to be cut. And presently the Globe was
+seen to rise, and that as fast as a Body of 12 feet Diameter, with a
+force only of 39 Pounds, could be suppos'd to move the resisting Air
+out of its Way. There was some Wind, but not very strong. A little
+Rain had wet it, so that it shone, and made an agreeable Appearance.
+It diminished in Apparent Magnitude as it rose, till it enter'd the
+Clouds, when it seem'd to me scarce bigger than an Orange, and soon
+after became invisible, the Clouds concealing it.
+
+The Multitude separated, all well satisfied and delighted with the
+Success of the Experiment, and amusing one another with discourses of
+the various uses it may possibly be apply'd to, among which many were
+very extravagant. But possibly it may pave the Way to some Discoveries
+in Natural Philosophy of which at present we have no Conception.
+
+A Note secur'd from the Weather had been affix'd to the Globe,
+signifying the Time & Place of its Departure, and praying those who
+might happen to find it, to send an account of its State to certain
+Persons at Paris. No News was heard of it till the next Day, when
+Information was receiv'd, that it fell a little after 6 aClock,
+at Gonesse, a Place about 4 Leagues Distance, and that it was rent
+open, and some say had Ice in it. It is suppos'd to have burst by the
+Elasticity of the contain'd Air when no longer compress'd by so heavy
+an Atmosphere.
+
+One of 38 feet Diameter is preparing by Mr. Montgolfier himself, at the
+Expence of the Academy, which is to go up in a few Days. I am told it
+is constructed of Linen & Paper, and is to be filled with a different
+Air, not yet made Public, but cheaper than that produc'd by the Oil of
+Vitriol, of which 200 Paris Pints were consum'd in filling the other.
+
+It is said that for some Days after its being filled, the Ball was
+found to lose an eighth Part of its Force of Levity in 24 Hours;
+Whether this was from Imperfection in the Tightness of the Ball, or a
+Change in the Nature of the Air, Experiments may easily discover.
+
+I thought it my Duty, Sir, to send an early Account of this
+extraordinary Fact, to the Society which does me the honour to reckon
+me among its Members; and I will endeavour to make it more perfect, as
+I receive farther Information.
+
+  With great Respect, I am, Sir,
+  Your most obedient
+  and most humble Servant
+  B. FRANKLIN
+
+SIR JOSEPH BANKS, Bar^t.
+
+P. S. Since writing the above, I am favour'd with your kind Letter
+of the 25th. I am much obliged to you for the Care you have taken to
+forward the Transactions, as well as to the Council for so readily
+ordering them on Application. Please to accept and present my Thanks.
+
+I just now learn, that some observers say, the Ball was 150 Seconds
+in rising, from the Cutting of the Cord till hid in the Clouds;
+that its height was then about 500 Toises, but, being moved out of
+the Perpendicular by the Wind, it had made a Slant so as to form a
+Triangle, whose Base on the Earth was about 200 Toises. It is said
+the Country People who saw it fall were frightned, conceiv'd from its
+bounding a little, when it touched the Ground, that there was some
+living Animal in it, and attack'd it with Stones and Knives, so that it
+was much mangled; but it is now brought to Town and will be repaired.
+
+The great one of M. Montgolfier, is to go up, as is said, from
+Versailles, in about 8 or 10 Days; It is not a Globe but of a different
+Form, more convenient for penetrating the Air. It contains 50,000
+cubic Feet, and is supposed to have Force of Levity equal to 1500
+pounds weight. A Philosopher here, M. Pilatre du Rozier has seriously
+apply'd to the Academy for leave to go up with it, in order to make
+some Experiments. He was complimented on his Zeal and Courage for
+the Promotion of Science, but advis'd to wait till the management of
+these Balls was made by Experience more certain & safe. They say the
+filling of it in M. Montgolfier's Way will not cost more than half
+a Crown. One is talk'd of to be 110 feet Diameter. Several Gentlemen
+have ordered small ones to be made for their Amusement. One has ordered
+four of 15 feet Diameter each; I know not with what Purpose; But such
+is the present Enthusiasm for promoting and improving this Discovery,
+that probably we shall soon make considerable Progress in the art of
+constructing and using the Machines.
+
+Among the Pleasanteries Conversation produces on this Subject, some
+suppose Flying to be now invented, and that since Men may be supported
+in the Air, nothing is wanted but some light handy Instruments to
+give and direct Motion. Some think Progressive Motion on the Earth
+may be advanc'd by it, and that a Running Footman or a Horse slung and
+suspended under such a Globe so as to have no more of Weight pressing
+the Earth with their Feet, than Perhaps 8 or 10 Pounds, might with a
+fair Wind run in a straight Line across Countries as fast as that Wind,
+and over Hedges, Ditches & even Waters. It has been even fancied that
+in time People will keep such Globes anchored in the Air, to which by
+Pullies they may draw up Game to be preserved in the Cool & Water to be
+frozen when Ice is wanted. And that to get Money, it will be contrived
+to give People an extensive View of the Country, by running them up in
+an Elbow Chair a Mile high for a Guinea &c. &c.
+
+B. F.
+
+
+(A HOT AIR BALLOON CARRYING ANIMALS.)
+
+PASSY, Oct. 8, 1783.
+
+Sir,
+
+The Publick were promised a printed particular Account of the Rise
+& Progress of the Balloon Invention, to be published about the End
+of last month. I waited for it to send it to you, expecting it would
+be more satisfactory than anything I could write; but it does not
+appear. We have only at present the enclosed Pamphlet, which does
+not answer the expectation given us. I send you with it some prints.
+That of the Balloon raised at Versailles is said to be an exact
+representation. I was not present, but am told it was filled in about
+ten minutes by means of burning Straw. Some say water was thrown into
+the flame, others that it was Spirits of Sal Volatile. It was supposed
+to have risen about 200 Toises: But did not continue long at that
+height, was carried horizontally by the Wind, and descended gently
+as the Air within grew cooler. So vast a Bulk when it began to rise
+so majestically in the Air struck the spectators with surprise and
+Admiration. The Basket contained a sheep, a duck, and a Cock, who,
+except the Cock, received no hurt by the fall.
+
+The Duke de Crillon made a feast last week in the Bois de Boulogne,
+just by my habitation, on occasion of the Birth of two Spanish Princes;
+after the Fireworks we had a Balloon of about 5 feet Diameter filled
+with permanent inflammable Air. It was dismissed about One aClock in
+the Morning. It carried under it a large Lanthorn with inscriptions on
+its sides. The Night was quite calm and clear, so that it went right
+up. The appearance of the light diminished gradually till it appeared
+no bigger than one of the Stars, and in about twenty minutes I lost
+sight of it entirely. It fell the next Day on the other side of the
+same Wood near the Village Boulogne, about half after twelve, having
+been suspended in the Air eleven hours and a half. It lodged in a tree,
+and was torn in getting it down; so that it cannot be ascertained
+whether it burst when above, or not, tho' that is supposed. Smaller
+Repetitions of the Experiment are making every day in all quarters.
+Some of the larger Balloons that have been up are preparing to be sent
+up again in a few Days; but I do not hear of any material improvements
+yet made either in the mechanical or Chemical parts of the Operation.
+Most is expected from the new one undertaken upon subscription by
+Messieurs Charles and Robert, who are Men of Science and mechanic
+Dexterity. It is to carry up a Man. I send you enclosed the Proposals,
+which it is said are already subscribed to by a considerable number
+and likely to be carried into execution. If I am well at the Time, I
+purpose to be present, being a subscriber myself, and shall send you an
+exact Account of Particulars.
+
+  With great esteem and respect, for yourself and the Society;
+  I have the honour to be,
+  Sir,
+  Your most obedient
+  & most humble Servant,
+  B. FRANKLIN
+
+SIR JOSEPH BANKS, Bar^t.
+
+
+(THE FIRST AERIAL VOYAGE BY MAN.)
+
+PASSY, Nov^r 21st, 1783
+
+Dear Sir,
+
+I received your friendly Letter of the 7th Inst. I am glad my Letters
+respecting the Aerostatic Experiment were not unacceptable. But as more
+perfect Accounts of the Construction and Management of that Machine
+have been and will be published before your Transactions, and from
+which Extracts may be made that will be more particular and therefore
+more satisfactory, I think it best not to print those Letters. I say
+this in answer to your Question; for I did not indeed write them with
+a view of their being inserted. Mr. Faujas de St. Fond acquainted me
+yesterday that a Book on the Subject which has been long expected, will
+be publish'd in a few Days, and I shall send you one of them. Enclosed
+is a Copy of the _Procès verbal_ taken of the Experiment made yesterday
+in the Garden of the Queen's Palace la Muette where the Dauphin now
+resides which being near my House I was present. This Paper was drawn
+up hastily, and may in some Places appear to you obscure; therefore I
+shall add a few explanatory Observations.
+
+This Balloon was larger than that which went up from Versailles and
+carried the Sheep, &c. Its bottom was open, and in the middle of the
+Opening was fixed a kind of Basket Grate in which Faggots and Sheaves
+of Straw were burnt. The Air rarified in passing thro' this Flame rose
+in the Balloon, swell'd out its sides, and fill'd it.
+
+The Persons who were plac'd in the Gallery made of Wicker, and attached
+to the Outside near the Bottom, had each of them a Port thro' which
+they could pass Sheaves of Straw into the Grate to keep up the Flame,
+& thereby keep the Balloon full. When it went over our Heads, we could
+see the Fire which was very considerable. As the Flame slackens, the
+rarified Air cools and condenses, the Bulk of the Balloon diminishes
+and it begins to descend. If those in the Gallery see it likely to
+descend in an improper Place, they can by throwing on more Straw,
+& renewing the Flame, make it rise again, and the Wind carries it
+farther.
+
+_La Machine poussée par le Vent s'est dirigée sur une des Allées du
+Jardin._ That is against the Trees of one of the Walks. The Gallery
+hitched among the top Boughs of those Trees which had been cut and were
+stiff while the Body of the Balloon lean'd beyond and seemed likely to
+overset. I was then in great Pain for the Men, thinking them in danger
+of being thrown out, or burnt for I expected that the Balloon being no
+longer upright the Flame would have laid hold of the inside that leaned
+over it. But by means of some Cords that were still attach'd to it, it
+was soon brought upright again, made to descend, & carried back to its
+place. It was however much damaged.
+
+_Planant sur l'Horizon._ When they were as high as they chose to be,
+they made less Flame and suffered the Machine to drive Horizontally
+with the Wind, of which however they felt very little, as they went
+with it, and as fast. They say they had a charming View of Paris &
+its Environs, the Course of the River, &c but that they were once
+lost, not knowing what Part they were over, till they saw the Dome of
+the Invalids, which rectified their Ideas. Probably while they were
+employed in keeping up the Fire, the Machine might turn, and by that
+means they were _desorientés_ as the French call it.
+
+There was a vast Concourse of Gentry in the Garden, who had great
+Pleasure in seeing the Adventurers go off so chearfully, & applauded
+them by clapping &c. but there was at the same time a good deal of
+Anxiety for their Safety. Multitudes in Paris saw the Balloon passing;
+but did not know there were Men with it, it being then so high that
+they could not see them.
+
+_Développant du Gaz._ That is, in plain English, _burning more straw_;
+for tho' there is a little Mystery made, concerning the kind of Air
+with which the Balloon is filled, I conceive it to be nothing more than
+hot Smoke or common Air rarify'd, tho' in this I may be mistaken.
+
+_Aiant encor dans leur Galerie les deux tiers de leur
+Approvisionement._ That is their Provision of Straw; of which they
+carried up a great Quantity. It was well that in the hurry of so
+hazardous an Experiment, the Flame did not happen by any accidental
+Mismanagement to lay hold of this Straw; tho' each had a Bucket of
+Water by him, by Way of Precaution.
+
+One of these courageous Philosophers, the Marquis d'Arlandes, did me
+the honour to call upon me in the Evening after the Experiment, with
+Mr. Montgolfier the very ingenious Inventor. I was happy to see him
+safe. He informed me that they lit gently without the least Shock, and
+the Balloon was very little damaged.
+
+This Method of filling the Balloon with hot Air is cheap and
+expeditious, and it is supposed may be sufficient for certain purposes,
+such as elevating an Engineer to take a View of an Enemy's Army, Works,
+&c. conveying Intelligence into, or out of a besieged Town, giving
+Signals to distant Places, or the like.
+
+The other Method of filling a Balloon with permanently elastic
+inflammable Air, and then closing it is a tedious Operation, and
+very expensive; Yet we are to have one of that kind sent up in a few
+Days. It is a Globe of 26 feet diameter. The Gores that compose it
+are red and white Silk, so that it makes a beautiful appearance. A
+very handsome triumphal Car will be suspended to it, in which Mess^rs.
+Robert, two Brothers, very ingenious Men, who have made it in concert
+with Mr. Charles propose to go up. There is room in this Car for a
+little Table to be placed between them, on which they can write and
+keep their Journal, that is take Notes of every thing they observe, the
+State of their Thermometer, Barometer, Hygrometer, &c which they will
+have more Leisure to do than the others, having no fire to take Care
+of. They say they have a contrivance which will enable them to descend
+at Pleasure. I know not what it is. But the Expence of this Machine,
+Filling included, will exceed, it is said, 10,000 Livres.
+
+This Balloon of only 26 feet diameter being filled with Air ten times
+lighter than common Air, will carry up a greater Weight than the other,
+which tho' vastly bigger was filled with an Air that could scarcely be
+more than twice as light. Thus the great Bulk of one of these Machines,
+with the short duration of its Power, & the great Expence of filling
+the other will prevent the Inventions being of so much Use, as some may
+expect, till Chemistry can invent a cheaper light Air producible with
+more Expedition.
+
+But the Emulation between the two Parties running high, the Improvement
+in the Construction and Management of the Balloons has already made
+a rapid Progress; and one cannot say how far it may go. A few Months
+since the Idea of Witches riding thro' the Air upon a Broomstick, and
+that of Philosophers upon a Bag of Smoke, would have appeared equally
+impossible and ridiculous.
+
+These Machines must always be subject to be driven by the Winds.
+Perhaps Mechanic Art may find easy means to give them progressive
+Motion in a Calm, and to slant them a little in the Wind.
+
+I am sorry this Experiment is totally neglected in England where
+mechanic Genius is so strong. I wish I could see the same Emulation
+between the two Nations as I see between the two Parties here. Your
+Philosophy seems to be too bashful. In this Country we are not so much
+afraid of being laught at. If we do a foolish thing, we are the first
+to laugh at it ourselves, and are almost as much pleased with a _Bon
+Mot_ or a good _Chanson_, that ridicules well the Disappointment of
+a Project, as we might have been with its Success. It does not seem
+to me a good reason to decline prosecuting a new Experiment which
+apparently increases the Power of Man over Matter, till we can see to
+what Use that Power may be applied. When we have learnt to manage it,
+we may hope some time or other to find Uses for it, as Men have done
+for Magnetism and Electricity of which the first Experiments were mere
+Matters of Amusement.
+
+This Experience is by no means a trifling one. It may be attended with
+important Consequences that no one can foresee. We should not suffer
+Pride to prevent our progress in Science. Beings of a Rank and Nature
+far superior to ours have not disdained to amuse themselves with making
+and launching Balloons, otherwise we should never have enjoyed the
+Light of those glorious objects that rule our Day & Night, nor have had
+the Pleasure of riding round the Sun ourselves upon the Balloon we now
+inhabit.
+
+  With great and sincere Esteem, I am,
+  Dear Sir,
+  Your most obed^t
+  & most humble Servant,
+  B. FRANKLIN
+
+Sir JOSEPH BANKS.
+
+
+(POSTPONEMENT OF CHARLES' AND ROBERT'S ASCENSION.)
+
+PASSY, Nov. 30, 1783
+
+Dear Sir,
+
+I did myself the honour of writing to you the Beginning of last Week,
+and I sent you by the Courier, M. Faujas's Book upon the Balloons,
+which I hope you have receiv'd. I did hope to have given you to day
+an Account of Mr. Charles's grand Balloon, which was to have gone up
+yesterday; but the filling it with inflammable Air having taken more
+time than had been calculated, it is deferr'd till to-morrow. I send
+you herewith a Paper in which you will see what was proposed by Mess^rs
+Robert who constructed the Machine; and some other Papers relative
+to the same Subject, the last of which is curious, as containing the
+Journal of the first Aerial Voyage performed by Man.--I purpose being
+present to-morrow at the Experiment, and shall give you an Acc^t of it
+by the Wednesday's Post. With sincere & great Esteem, I have the honour
+to be,
+
+  Sir, Your most obed^t humble Serv^t
+  B. FRANKLIN
+
+Sir JOS. BANKS, Bar^t.
+
+
+(THE SECOND AERIAL VOYAGE BY MAN.)
+
+PASSY, Dec. 1, 1783.
+
+Dear Sir,
+
+In mine of yesterday, I promis'd to give you an Account of Mess^rs.
+Charles & Robert's Experiment, which was to have been made at this Day,
+and at which I intended to be present. Being a little indispos'd, & the
+Air cool, and the Ground damp, I declin'd going into the Garden of the
+Tuilleries where the Balloon was plac'd, not knowing how long I might
+be oblig'd to wait there before it was ready to depart; and chose to
+stay in my Carriage near the Statue of Louis XV. from whence I could
+well see it rise, & have an extensive View of the Region of Air thro'
+which, as the Wind sat, it was likely to pass. The Morning was foggy,
+but about one aClock, the Air became tolerably clear, to the great
+Satisfaction of the Spectators, who were infinite, Notice having been
+given of the intended Experiment several Days before in the Papers,
+so that all Paris was out, either about the Tuilleries, on the Quays
+& Bridges, in the Fields, the Streets, at the Windows, or on the Tops
+of Houses, besides the Inhabitants of all the Towns & Villages of the
+Environs. Never before was a philosophical Experiment so magnificently
+attended. Some Guns were fired to give Notice, that the Departure
+of the great Balloon was near, and a small one was discharg'd which
+went to an amazing Height, there being but little Wind to make it
+deviate from its perpendicular Course, and at length the Sight of it
+was lost. Means were used, I am told, to prevent the great Balloon's
+rising so high as might indanger its Bursting. Several Bags of Sand
+were taken on board before the Cord that held it down was cut, and
+the whole Weight being then too much to be lifted, such a Quantity was
+discharg'd as to permit its Rising slowly. Thus it would sooner arrive
+at that Region where it would be in Equilibrio with the surrounding
+Air, and by discharging more Sand afterwards, it might go higher if
+desired. Between One & Two aClock, all Eyes were gratified with seeing
+it rise majestically from among the Trees, and ascend gradually above
+the Buildings, a most beautiful Spectacle! When it was about 200 feet
+high, the brave Adventurers held out and wav'd a little white Pennant,
+on both Sides their Car, to salute the Spectators, who return'd loud
+Claps of Applause. The Wind was very little, so that the Object,
+tho' moving to the Northward, continued long in View; and it was a
+great while before the admiring People began to disperse. The Persons
+embark'd were Mr. Charles, Professor of Experimental Philosophy, &
+a zealous Promoter of that Science; and one of the Messieurs Robert,
+the very ingenious Constructors of the Machine. When it arrived at its
+height, which I suppose might be 3 or 400 Toises, it appeared to have
+only horizontal Motion. I had a Pocket Glass, with which I follow'd it,
+till I lost Sight, first of the Men, then of the Car, and when I last
+saw the Balloon, it appear'd no bigger than a Walnut. I write this at 7
+in the Evening. What became of them is not yet known here. I hope they
+descended by Day-light, so as to see & avoid falling among Trees or on
+Houses, and that the Experiment was completed without any mischievous
+Accident which the Novelty of it & the want of Experience might well
+occasion. I am the more anxious for the Event, because I am not well
+inform'd of the Means provided for letting themselves gently down, and
+the Loss of these very ingenious Men would not only be a Discouragement
+to the Progress of the Art, but be a sensible Loss to Science and
+Society.
+
+I shall inclose one of the Tickets of Admission, on which the Globe was
+represented, as originally intended, but is altered by the Pen to show
+its real State when it went off. When the Tickets were engraved, the
+Car was to have been hung to the Neck of the Globe, as represented by a
+little Drawing I have made in the Corner A. I suppose it may have been
+an Apprehension of Danger in straining too much the Balloon or tearing
+the Silk, that induc'd the Constructors to throw a Net over it, fix'd
+to a Hoop which went round its Middle, and to hang the Car to that
+Hoop, as you see in Fig. B.
+
+Tuesday Morning, Dec. 2. I am reliev'd from my Anxiety, by hearing
+that the Adventurers descended well near l'Isle Adam, before Sunset.
+This Place is near 7 Leagues from Paris. Had the Wind blown fresh, they
+might have gone much farther.
+
+If I receive any farther Particulars of Importance I shall communicate
+them hereafter.
+
+  With great Esteem, I am, Dear Sir,
+  Your most obedient
+  & most humble servant,
+  B. FRANKLIN
+
+P. S. Tuesday Evening.
+
+Since writing the above, I have receiv'd the printed Paper & the
+Manuscript, containing some Particulars of the Experiment, which I
+enclose.--I hear farther, that the Travellers had perfect Command of
+their Carriage, descending as they pleas'd by letting some of the
+inflammable Air escape, and rising again by discharging some Sand;
+that they descended over a Field so low as to talk with Labourers in
+passing and mounted again to pass a Hill. The little Balloon falling at
+Vincennes, shows that mounting higher it met with a Current of Air in a
+contrary Direction: An Observation that may be of use to future aerial
+Voyagers.
+
+Sir JOSEPH BANKS, Bar^t.
+
+
+(SOME PARTICULARS OF THE SECOND VOYAGE.)
+
+Mr. Le Chevalier de Cubière qui a suivi la marche du Globe est
+arrivé chez M. Charles hier à 10 heures 1/4 du Soir et a dit, Que les
+Voyageurs étoient descendus lentement et volontairement à trois heures
+3/4 dans les Marais de Nesle et d'Hebouville, une lieue et demie après
+l'Isle Adam. Ils y ont été accueillis par Mrs. le Duc de Chartre et
+Fitz James, qui après les avoir embrassés, ont signé le Procès verbal
+de lieu et d'heure. Beaucoup d'habitants de la campagne et le curé de
+Nesle et d'Hebouville se sont aussi trouvés à leur arrivée.
+
+Les Voyageurs ont assuré n'avoir éprouvé que des Sensations agréables
+dans leur traversée. Mr. Robert étant sorti du Char, et aidé de
+quelques Paysans, se disposoit à remplacer sa Pesanteur avec de la
+Terre; mais M. Charles voulant profiter du peu de Jour qui lui restoit,
+pour faire encore quelques observations, impatienté de la Lenteur de
+cette operation, a repris son Vol à 4 heures et 1/4, avec un excédant
+de Légèreté d'environ 100 Livres par une Ascension droite et une
+rapidité telle qu'en peu de tems le Globe s'est trouvé hors de vue. La
+Chute du Jour l'a déterminé à redescendre une lieue et 1/2 plus loin,
+aux environs de Fouroy.
+
+La Machine n'a éprouvé aucun Accident. Elle perdoit légèrement par une
+petite ouverture qui existoit dejà quelques heures avant son Depart
+auprès de l'appendice, et dont le Morceau de Taffetas que l'on y avoit
+appliqué au moment de l'expérience, s'étoit detaché.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Le petit Ballon est tombé dans la Cour du Dongeon à Vincennes. Il a été
+ramassé par des Enfans et vendu 6_d._ au nommé Bertrand. Il avoit perdu
+son air inflammable par le Robinet qu'on avoit laissé ouvert exprès
+pour empêcher l'explosion à trop grande hauteur. On évalue qu'il a été
+50 minutes en l'air. Le Taffetas étoit roussi aux deux Extremités.
+
+
+NOTES CONCERNING THE LETTERS.
+
+_Letter of August 30._ The hand-writing is in a more flowing style than
+the subsequent letters. Bigelow omits paragraph ten beginning "It is
+said." Both Bigelow and Smyth give another paragraph in the Postscript,
+beyond the signature "B. F." in my copy; also a note dated Sept. 2^d,
+which contains calculations in French relating to the balloon. Smyth
+says that these additions are not in the University of Pennsylvania
+draft but that they occur in this press-copy, which is obviously a
+mistake. In paragraph two of the Postscript "mov'd out," in Smyth,
+should read "being moved out," and in the last line but one "upon"
+should read "up in."
+
+_Letter of October 8._ In the eighth line after the word "Balloon"
+Smyth inserts "lately." Part of the valedictory and the signature are
+omitted by Bigelow and Smyth, but the former gives an "Extract of the
+Proposals" for the balloon of which I have no copy.
+
+_Letter of November 21._ This should be dated Nov. 22, since the
+ascension of d'Arlandes and de Rozier which, according to the
+letter, took place the previous day is known to have been on the
+21st. The orthography of the French words in Bigelow and Smyth does
+not always agree with the copy. In paragraph three, for "Post," in
+Smyth, read "Port;" in paragraph six for "Adventures," in Smyth, read
+"Adventurers;" in paragraph thirteen for "By the emulation," in Smyth,
+read "But the Emulation;" in paragraph fifteen for the phrase, in
+Smyth and Bigelow, beginning, "I wish I could see the same emulation,"
+correct to end, "between the two Nations as I see between the two
+Parties here;" in paragraph sixteen, in both Bigelow and Smyth, for
+"Experiment," read "Experience;" and for the unintelligible phrase in
+both Bigelow and Smyth, "Beings of a frank and [sic] nature," read
+"Beings of a Rank and Nature." Minor discrepancies between this and
+the other press-copies and the letters as printed by Bigelow and Smyth
+also occur. The signature is in pencil in this copy. A "P. S. Nov.
+25th" is not in the press-copy, contrary to Smyth's statement, but
+I have a press-copy of the French _Procès-Verbal_, therein referred
+to, in Franklin's handwriting with his name and eight others affixed
+as witnesses. Neither Bigelow nor Smyth print this document, which
+was first reproduced in the book mentioned by Franklin in the first
+paragraph of his letter, viz: "Description des Expériences de la
+Machine Aérostatique par M. Faujas de Saint-Fond, Paris, 1783." Since
+Franklin's copy of the _Procès-Verbal_ differs only in his spelling
+the word "_sang-froid_" instead of "_sens-froid_," I do not print it.
+However, other changes were introduced in the _Procès-Verbal_ when
+reprinted in the second volume of M. Faujas' work, published in 1784.
+The plate forming the frontispiece to this volume shows the balloon as
+seen from Mr. Franklin's terrace at Passy.
+
+_Letter of November 30._ This has never been published so far as I
+know. "The Journal of the first Aerial Voyage," here mentioned, was
+written by the Marquis d'Arlandes to M. Faujas de Saint-Fond on Nov.
+28th and first printed in the _Journal de Paris_ but was republished by
+Faujas de Saint-Fond in his second volume.
+
+_Letter of December 1._ Smyth states that he reproduced this
+letter from my press-copy but he omits the capital letters and the
+contractions in spelling, as well as the references "A" and "B," which
+are given by Bigelow with the remark that the drawings were not found.
+"The Manuscript, containing some Particulars of the Experiment, which
+I enclose," mentioned in the Postscript, is a two-page account in
+French, in Franklin's handwriting, by an eye-witness of the voyage, M.
+le Chevalier de Cubière. As this interesting document has never been
+published, to my knowledge, I have given it here _literatim_ from my
+press-copy.
+
+
+
+
+--Transcriber's note--
+
+A caret (^) indicates the following character or characters were
+printed in superscript. Some superscripts were silently converted to
+regular characters (i.e. 27th instead of 27^th).
+
+Except for the following corrections, the original text and punctuation
+remain unchanged:
+
+  p. 7, Added a missing comma after "Sir" at the beginning of the letter
+          "A hot air balloon carrying animals", as there is one in every
+          other letter;
+  p. 7, added missing "t" to "than" in
+          "more satisfactory than anything";
+  p. 9, "Procés verbal" corrected to "Procès verbal";
+  p. 11, added a missing comma after "Robert" in
+          "Mess^rs. Robert, two Brothers,";
+  p. 11, "Aiant encor dans leur Galerie le deux tiers de leur
+          Approvissonement." was corrected to "... les deux tiers de
+          leur Approvisionement." "Aiant encor" might be "Ayant encore",
+          as printed in the "Journal des sçavans" of January 1784,
+          but was not corrected here;
+  p. 14, "Carr" corrected to "Car" in "on both Sides their Car,";
+  p. 16, removed a space after "d'" in "Beaucoup d'habitants";
+  p. 16, "Bart." corrected to "Bar^t." in "Sir JOSEPH BANKS, Bar^t.";
+  p. 17, "Sept. 2d" corrected to "Sept. 2^d", for 2nd.
+
+The following possible mispellings have been retained:
+
+  p. 6, "M. Pilatre du Rozier" should be "M. Pilâtre de Rozier";
+  p. 10, "chearfully" is possibly an older spelling for "cheerfully";
+  p. 16, there are several missing accents that might have been in the
+          original French document, in "desorientés", "operation",
+          "dejà", "depart", "detaché" and "extremités".
+  There are two occurences of "&c" for "&c."
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Benjamin Franklin and the First
+Balloons, by Abbott Lawrence Rotch and Benjamin Franklin
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43809 ***