1To Benjamin Franklin from Augustus Gottlieb Spangenberg, 29 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Archives of the Moravian Church, Bethlehem When I think of the Multitude of Things, which now surrounds you; I wish that God may be with you; and then surely all will go well and prosper in your Hands. As you like to keep Mr. Edmonds a little longer, he being a good Hand to you; and as he himself is very willing to assist you in what he can; it would be ungenerous of us to take him from...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 31 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Duane, Works , VI , II . I wrote a line to you yesterday, and having this opportunity, write another, just to let you know that we all continue well, and much the better from the refreshments you have sent us: in short we do very well, for though there are a great number of things, besides what we have, that used to seem necessary to comfortable living, yet we have...
3To Benjamin Franklin from William Shipley, 1 September 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; also copy: “Dr. Templeman’s Transactions,” Royal Society of Arts, London I am order’d to acquaint you, that the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce have unanimously elected you a Corresponding Member; and it gives the Society a singular Pleasure to place upon their List a Gentleman whose publick Spirit and uncommon Abilities...
4Rules and Statutes of the College, Academy, and Charity School; Laws and Statutes of the Trustees, 11 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS Minutes: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania The trustees of the College of Philadelphia on June 10 (see above, p. 29) appointed Franklin and five others to examine and report on a draft of rules and statutes, probably prepared by Franklin himself, which had been submitted to the board for adoption. On July 11 Franklin reported as president that the committee had considered the draft...
5Documents on the £60,000 Excise Bill, 13–16 September 1756 (Franklin Papers)
I. Reprinted from Minutes of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania , VII (Harrisburg, 1851), 249 (cited as Pa. Col. Recs .). II. Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1755–1756 (Philadelphia, 1756), pp. 145–6. III . Pa. Col. Recs ., VII , 250. IV. Votes , 1755–56, pp. 147–9; Pa. Col. Recs .,
6From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 10 June 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We wrote to you per Capt. Morton who sailed yesterday, and sent you a few Things that may be of some Use perhaps in your Family. I hope, tho’ not of much Value, they will be acceptable. Inclos’d is an Account of Particulars, and the Captain’s Receipt, with the Key of the Trunk. Our Family is well. The Small Pox is beginning in Town by Inoculation, but has...
7Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 3 December 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1755–1756 (Philadelphia, 1756), pp. 52–3. Upon receipt of a renewed, urgent appeal from Gen. William Shirley to attend a forthcoming council in New York, Governor Morris asked the Assembly on December 2 whether it thought he should respond to the appeal, or stay in Pennsylvania to aid in the defense of the province. The next...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Jackson, 7 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your Favour of the 17th June per Mr. Winslow, with a Paper inclos’d, that has given me very great Pleasure. I thank you for it sincerely, which is all I can now do, being just setting out on a Journey to Virginia. I fear I cannot at present be impartial enough to give you a just State of our Provincial Disputes. I am perhaps too much engag’d in...
9From Benjamin Franklin to [Elizabeth Hubbart?], [16 October? 1755] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (fragment): American Philosophical Society [ Missing ] Altar, to be an Anvill; the two Hearts, Yours and Katy’s. And when they are welded together and made one, let that same Cupid fly with it to Your very affectionate PS Mrs. Franklin happens to see this Letter before I close it, and tells me I have not rightly interpreted the Seal. She agrees that the two Hearts on the Altar represent...
10To Benjamin Franklin from William Shirley, Junior, 14 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 175. May 14, 1755 Two sentences from this unlocated letter are printed in the Pennsylvania Assembly’s reply, Sept. 29, 1755, to Governor Morris’ charge, September 24, that the Assembly had done little to support Braddock’s expedition (see below, p. 207). On the same day...
11Robert Hunter Morris to the Assembly Committee, 19 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I herewith send you a letter I received on fryday last from Genl. Braddock desiring my assistance to Mr. Leslie who he has sent into this Province to Purchase a quantity of oats for the use of the army under his command, part of which Mr. Leslie tells me he has given directions to contract for in the back countys. I cannot but think it will be for the...
12Provincial Commissioners to Robert Hunter Morris, [13 June 1756] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission When the Indians first began to Infest our Frontiers, the Commissioners were of Oppinion, that the best means of Securing our Inhabitants, was to Carry the warr into the Enemys Country, and hunt them in all their Fishing, Hunting, Planting and dwelling places: But having sent for Croghan and others, in order to obtain their Oppinion; and they...
13To Benjamin Franklin from William Shirley, 4 February 1756 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1755–1756 (Philadelphia, 1756), p. 66. On Sept. 29, 1755, the Assembly had authorized a committee to receive up to £10,000 by voluntary subscription “toward Furnishing of Provisions, and Blankets, or other warm Cloathing, to the Troops now at or near Crown Point.” The subscribers, the Assembly added, “ought to be...
14Franklin and Hall: Notice to Subscribers, 17 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , July. 17, 1755. Whereas an advertisement was published sometime ago by the subscribers hereof, desiring those who were indebted to them for more than one year’s Gazette to discharge the same, of which little or no notice has been taken, but many continue a great number of years in arrear; this may therefore serve to let such know, that if they do not...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 23 September 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Duplicate: Pierpont Morgan Library I enclose three Bills, viz. A second for £50 Sterling, drawn by Thos. Saul on Wm. Baker. A first — £20 — — Mary Steevens—Alexr. Grant. A first — £30 — — Philip Ludwell Wm. Bowden. When paid, please to Credit my Account with them. I am Yours most affectionately P.S. We agree perfectly well with the Governor, but are very angry with the Proprietors and the...
16Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 28 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives, 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 117. Col. Thomas Dunbar, commander of Braddock’s army after the defeat on the Monongahela, decided to withdraw his demoralized troops instead of making a new attack from Fort Cumberland, and on July 16 informed Governor Morris that he planned to bring two regiments into winter quarters at...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 10 June 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society I am concern’d that I have not for a long time heard any thing of Sister Douse. Pray inform me how she is. Brothers John, Peter and my self, agreed to contribute towards a small Pension for her Support; I should be glad to know whether it is regularly paid. Inclos’d is a Receipt for 30 Reams of Paper. I wrote to you per Morton and refer to that. My Love to...
18From Benjamin Franklin to [William Parsons], 12 December 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Your Favours of Dec. 6. and 9. I have received and laid before the Commissioners. I expect that Mr. Hamilton or myself, or both, maybe with you in a few Days, to establish Ranging or Watching Parties, Blockhouses, &c. for the Defence of your Frontier; in the mean time, we send up by this Waggon, 56 small Arms, ½ Cwt. Gunpowder, 2 Cwt. Lead, 50 Blankets and a Hogshead...
19A Dialogue between X, Y, and Z, 18 December 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , December 18, 1755. The scorn heaped on Franklin’s Militia Act by the proprietary interest made necessary a sympathetic explanation of its unique features to help secure the wide popular support required for its implementation. Franklin explained his connection with the dialogue printed below in the autobiography: “To promote the Association necessary to...
20From Benjamin Franklin to William Johnston, 16 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I have settled Col. Hunter’s Account and find a Ballance in my Hands of £835 0 s . 3½ d . Pensilvania Currency, which shall be paid to your Orders, if you find it necessary to draw on me. I enclose you a Copy of a Letter I have just received from General Shirley, with a Copy of his Warrant to you for the Payment of such Sums to me as the Waggon Affair may...
21Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 17 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), pp. 94–7. The Assembly met on May 12 pursuant to its adjournment. They voted Franklin their thanks for his services to the army, resolved to defray the costs of the roads being built through Cumberland County to Wills Creek and the Monongahela, paid a few bills, replied to Governor Morris’...
22Israel Pemberton to John Fothergill, [19 May 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: American Philosophical Society The Light in which Friends here are represented on your Side of the Water is cause of painful Consideration to many of us; Some of our Friends in your City, were so kind by Capt. Messnard to send us two or three of those Scandalous Pamphlets which are stiled a State of the Province. It has justly alarmed all ranks of People here to find we have some...
23From Benjamin Franklin to William Shipley, 15 June 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Royal Society of Arts The above is a Copy of my Letter sent you last Year, to which having receiv’d no Answer, I imagine it by some means miscarried. I shall write to my good Friend and Correspondent Mr. Collinson to pay the 20 Guineas therein mentioned, to your Treasurer Mr. Goodchild. I am, Sir, Your most humble Servant Endorsed: Benjn. Franklin Esqr. Lre [Letter] Phil: 27. Novr. 1755...
24Pennsylvania Assembly: Address to the Governor, 11 February 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1755–1756 (Philadelphia, 1756), pp. 59–60. On Sept. 19, 1755, Gen. William Shirley had ordered his officers in Pennsylvania “in the Strongest Manner to avoid” enlisting indentured servants: protests against the practice were mounting, and in any case the approach of winter lessened the need to fill the regular regiments. By...
25Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 20 February 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1755–1756 (Philadelphia, 1756), p. 68. Through the winter of 1755–56, Indian attacks along the frontier and negotiations to regain their allegiance took place simultaneously. The Indians were dependent on the white man, and had to choose between the French and English; hence in the face of growing French power, their...
26To Benjamin Franklin from William Daniell, [21?] July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I shall be oblidg’d to you for letting me know what the Paper I have had from you Comes to also to make up the Quantity 100 Reams. Pray let me know as Soon as possible about your Supplying me constantly as I am obligated to wait your answer persuant to your Desire. I am, Sir Your Most humble Servant Inclos’d I send you Some News Papers. Addressed: To /...
27Isaac Norris to Thomas Leech: Certificate for Money Payment, with Franklin’s Receipt, 24 September 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Original not found; facsimile of printed form with MS insertions in blanks: Torrington Library, Torrington, Conn. In Assembly Septr. 24 175 6 This is to certify, that Benjamin Franklin has attended as a Member of Assembly for the Ci ty of Philadelphia. 108 Days, at Six Shillings per Diem , for which there is due to him the Sum of Thirty two Pounds, Eight Shillings
28Alexander Colden to James Parker, 28 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Archives By the Phi: Post received the Inclosed from Mr. Franklin which he desired me to forward to you and to desire you to forward it imediately by this post to Mr. Chew requesting him to forward it to Mr. Franklin at Boston. He writes “the Substance of the letter may be printed but not entire as we have not the Governors leave to whom it was directed. At least the...
29William Parsons to James Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin, 15 December 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission I make bold to trouble you once more, and it is not unlikely that it may be the last time. The Settlers on this side of the Mountain all along the River side are actually removed and we are now the Frontier of this part of the Country. Our poor people of this Town have quite expended their little substance and are quite wearied out with...
30From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 27 December 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d yours of the 24th with Pleasure [since it?] acquainted me of your and the Family’s Welfare. [I] am glad to hear that the Companies are forming in Town and chusing their Officers, and hope the Example will be followed throughout the Country. We all continue well, but much harrass’d with Business; after many Difficulties and Disappointments we...