To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, [after 22 July 1780]
From Alexander Small
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Wednesday Noon [after July 22, 1780]
Dear Sir
When I had the pleasure of seeing You I did not know that we were to quit our present Habitation before five O’Clock. I therefore trouble with this, to desire that you will by him send Your Commands for England, and the paper I left with you.2
Let your Evening and Morning Contemplation be the Inscription on the Peace of Munster.3 As much depends on You, in Proportion to your neglect of the Means, in that proportion will the Deaths the delay occasions be laid to your Charge. Blessed are the Peace Makers,4 said the preacher of Peace and Good will to Men. Let your Speedy appearance in London give Joy to thousands; and to none, more than to Dear Sir Your Faithful and Affectionate Servant
Alexr Small
Addressed: To Dr Franklin / Passey
Notation: Small.
2. Possibly his “Observations on the Gout,” which BF had copied; see BF’s letter to Small of July 22, above. The two men had also discussed Small’s work on ventilation.
3. The French treaty with the Holy Roman Empire as part of the Peace of Westphalia (Oct. 24, 1648).
4. “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”: Matthew 5:9.