1The Attempt to Settle Franklin’s Post Office Account, [18–21 October 1776] (Franklin Papers)
(I) DS ; (II) three ADS : American Philosophical Society In the period between Franklin’s dismissal as deputy postmaster general in January, 1774, and his departure from England in March, 1775, he tried to settle his indebtedness to the General Post Office. The account that he submitted in December, 1774, showed a balance due from him of £973 0 s. 5 d. ; he offered to pay, as he says here, and...
Printed forms (two) with MS insertions in blanks: Theodore Sheldon, Chicago (1954) The commission given by Franklin and William Hunter to Thomas Vernon as deputy postmaster at Newport, R.I., Dec. 24, 1754, is printed above, V , 451–2. With the text of that earliest known post-office commission signed by Franklin as deputy postmaster general appears a note listing five similar commissions known...
3From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 7 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society Mr. Todd call’d to see me yesterday. I perceive there is a good deal of Uneasiness at the Office concerning the Delay of the Accounts. He sent me, in the Evening, to read and return to him a Letter he has written to you for this Mail. Friendship requires me to urge earnestly your Attention to the Contents, if you value the Continuance of...
4From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 18 February 1774 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society It is long since I have heard from you. I hope nothing I have written has occasion’d any Coolness. We are no longer Colleagues, but let us part as we have liv’d so long, in Friendship. I am displac’d unwillingly by our Masters, who were oblig’d to comply with the Orders of the Ministry. It seems I am too much of an American. Take care of...
5From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 3 August 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I wrote to you pretty fully by Capt. All viâ Philadelphia, and have not since heard from you. I did purpose to have visited you in the September Packet, but begin to see that I must stay here one Winter more, on Account of some Publick Business of Importance. The Ohio Grant is still unfinish’d, and like to continue so for some time, as the Attorney...
6From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 14 July 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received yours of June 7. and am glad to find by it that you are safely return’d from your Virginia Journey, having settled your Affairs there to Satisfaction, and that you found your Family well at New York. I feel for you in the Fall you had out of your Chair. I have had three of those Squelches in different Journeys, and never desire a fourth. I...
7From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 3 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I am favoured with yours of Jan. 5. and am glad to hear that you and yours are well. The Flour and Bisket came to hand in good Order. I am much oblig’d to you and your Brother for your Care in sending them. I believe I wrote you before that the Demand made upon us on Account of the Packet Letters was withdrawn as being without Foundation. As to the...
8From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 2 December 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I am sorry to acquaint you that the Account Mr. Colden sent over from New York by the Octr Packet is look’d upon at the Office as no Account at all, the Receipts being lump’d in one Article of £5649 2 s. 3½ d. without any State of the Accounts of the several Offices to support that Article. It is therefore rejected, and I can make no Settlement till...
9From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 19 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received yours and Mr. Colden’s with the Accounts, and Bills, per Packet, concerning which shall be more particular in my next. This Line is only to inform you, that in my Opinion you are likely to obtain from the Board the Addition you desire to enable you to live at New York; that probably Mr. Finlay will be appointed Riding Surveyor; and that...
10From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 3 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received your Favour of June 22d per Mr. Finlay, and shall be glad of an Opportunity of rendring him any Service on your Recommendation. There does not at present seem to be any Disposition of the Board to appoint a Riding Surveyor, nor does Mr. Finlay seem desirous of such an Employment. Every thing at the Office remains as when I last wrote, only...