To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Pownall, 12 October 1767
From Thomas Pownall
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Westhorp9 Oct. 12 67
Dear Sir.
As I pass’d thro London to this place I called at your door—you was not come to town—I have since been on a visit to Berkshire—and return’d this last week—and am now begun upon the Revision of my Administration of the Colonies,1 as also preparing my mind for next Sessions—in case any thing should arise which I scarce think will. I have gott a Copy of the Commission I was seeking, it is in Latin I found it in Rymer’s foedera.2
My Mind being turned to those Subjects makes me wish your company more especially—and if you have nothing better to do may I flatter myself the pleasure of your company at this place—Lady Fawkener sends her Compliments. I am Dear Sir your friend and Servant
T Pownall.
Addressed: Benjn / Franklin Esqr / at Mrs Stevenson / Craven-Street Strand / London / Free
9. Pownall’s summer home in Buckinghamshire, just east of the village of Marlow.
1. The fourth edition of The Administration of the Colonies was published in 1768; the work went through six editions in all. See G.H. Guttridge, “Thomas Pownall’s The Administration of the Colonies: the Six Editions,” 3 Wm. and Mary Quar., XXVI (Jan. 1969), 31–46.
2. Pownall evidently referred to a commission, dated 1636, for “erecting and establishing a board, for the purpose of governing the Plantations,” which he inserted in the appendix to his fourth edition, section V, pp. 67–73. It had been published earlier in Thomas Rymer, Foedera, XX (London, 1735), 8–10.