1To Benjamin Franklin from Sargent Aufrere & Co., 8 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Barclay is not come to Town yet, and it is uncertain whether we may be able to confer with him, and give you the result time enough for your writing by this packet, we will therefore take our own Resolution, and undertake to pay, ourselves, what part of the Colony’s drafts on you (by means of the deficiency of the Stock) you shall not have...
2To Benjamin Franklin from George Aufrere, 9 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have seen Mr. Barclay this Morning who concurs with our House in the Resolution we had taken to pay such of the Province Bills as the Cash in your Hands falls short of discharging. The Method of doing this, will be for you to suffer them to be noted for Non-acceptance, and to direct the Holders of them to us when the 30 Days are run out from the...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Sargent Aufrere & Co., 13 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Barclay having been with us to day in consequence of his waiting on the Proprietor of Pensylvania for the Exemplification of the Bill, in order to take the necessary Steps for receiving the Colony’s Money from the Treasury, hath acquainted us, that upon mentioning to him our Intention of joining to take up such Bills as you were not provided...
4To Benjamin Franklin from James Brown, 14 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania This is to acquaint you that in consequence of your directions Mr. Shervell has Sold £5000 of the 3 Per Cents. at 65¾ that is without the Dividend 64¼ —he is attending the Sale of the remainder and as any thing is done in it will keep you advis’d. I am for Father and Self most Respectfully Yours Addressed: To / Benj. Franklin Esqr. / In Craven Street /...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Sargent Aufrere & Co., 15 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania We have this Morning receiv’d your two Letters, that of the 8th. Instant, which you had intended to favour us with sooner, and this of the 14th. Instant, in which to be sure what you say regarding the Colony Drafts, of the Regret you shall feel to let any of them go back, and the very evident Service that will be done the Colony, by preventing it,...
6To Benjamin Franklin from John Canton, 21 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions , LII (1761–62), 457–61. Mr. Delaval, in his curious electrical experiments, found that Portland stone, common tobacco-pipe, &c. would readily conduct the electrical fluid, when very hot, or when quite cold; but were non-conductors in an intermediate state. As no one, that I know of, has yet attempted to account for...
7To Benjamin Franklin from James Brown, 22 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Brown’s compliments to Benj. Franklin Esqr. and acquaints him that he has sold Five Thousand Pounds more of the Annuities Vizt. £3000 at 64½ 2000 at 64⅜ which was all he could do—the price is now but 63¾ and therefore before he sold the remaining five thought it proper to acquaint him with it—and Mr. Brown desires Mr. Franklin will please to send...
8To Benjamin Franklin from James Brown, 2 February 1762 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Brown’s Compliments to B. Franklin Esqr. and acquaints him he has sold the £5000—3 per Cents. to be transferr’d to morrow—to day being a Holliday, at 61⅞. Addressed: To / Benj. Franklin Esqr. / In Craven street / Strand See below, p. 34.
9To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 5 February 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Yale University Library Notwithstanding thro the Fate of War I suppose all my Letters to you have been intercepted by the Enemy, I venture again to write. You know Professor Winthrop to be a Gentleman of exellent Abilities and Acquisitions in math[ematical] Learning. And persuade myself that you, Sir, who know his Merits, cannot but think they would do honor to an Enrollment...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Sir John Cust, 11 February 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Messrs. Thos. Leech, Charles Norris, Mahlon Kirkbride, Francis Yarnall and James Wright, Trustees of the General Loan Office of Pensylvania Gentlemen We think it incumbent upon us to acquaint you that we have pursuant to the Powers given us by the Governor and Assembly of your Province jointly with Messrs. David Barclay Junior and Jno. Barclay...
11To Benjamin Franklin from E. Shervell, 12 February 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania In consequence of Mr. Brown’s order I have Enclosed the Account of Sales of the fifteen thousand Pounds 3 per Cents. Which I hope will be agreable. Yours Addressed: To / Benj Franklin Esqr / Craven street / in the Strand Endorsed: from J. Brown Banker in Lombard Street. respecting the Sale of Stocks. Sales £15000 3 per Cts. No 7 [Enclosure] I.N. sold...
12To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel?] Mead, 25 February 1762 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Mr. Meads Compliments to Doctor Franklin and incloses him some account of the good Effects of Electricity, sent by a Curate of Doctor Douglass in the Country, which Lord Bath wished he might see! It is to be published as I understand, and if Mr. Franklin has any thing to observe on it, Mr. Mead would be glad when it is returned to acquaint my Lord with...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas-François Dalibard, February 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je ne puis vous exprimer tout le plaisir que m’a causé La lettre que vous m’avez fait L’honneur de m’ecrire de Londres le 9. Décembre 1761. et qui m’a eté remise le 7. Janvier 1762. par M. Le Docteur Shippen. La guerre avoit interrompu depuis plusieurs années notre ancien commerce de lettres et j’en avois eté extrêmement mortifié. J’en ai eté d’autant plus...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 10 March 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and draft: American Philosophical Society I did not think you had been so keen a Satyrist. I have not finish’d my Course of Philosophy , nor do I desire to be at full Leisure to improve myself in Cards . I confess you have just Reason to complain of me, and my Indolence merits your severe Rebuke. Your Letter fill’d me with Confusion, and I assure you it will be a Spur to my Industry. The...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 23 March 1762 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society P. Collinsons Love and Respects to His Friend Franklin. Has sent some books and Catalogues for Library Company and a piece for J. Bartram to his Care. Ball Account Delivered 13: 16: 5 No. 33 and 34 Modern History 13: - No. 27: 28: 29: 30 ball 14: 9: 5 4 plates inserts 2: 6 10 - £14:
16To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, [28 March 1762] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: The Royal Society Franklin, like other members of the Royal Society, sometimes served as a means of communication whereby nonmembers with news of curious phenomena or interesting discoveries might hope to have their reports transmitted to the Society to be read and printed. In this instance John Whitehurst passed on to Franklin a letter he had received from Rev. Samuel Evatt of...
17To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 5 April 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society Yours of December 10. by the Packet, I received, with your Opinion relating to my remitting you; and have, accordingly sent you the first Copy of a Bill of Exchange for Three Hundred Pounds Sterling (Exchange Seventy-seven and a Half) drawn by Messieurs Plumsted and Franks, on Sir James Colebrooke Baronet, Arnold Nesbitt, George Colebrooke, and...
18To Benjamin Franklin from R. Hippisley, 19 April 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having completed an Analysis of Oratory, as more particularly mentioned in the enclosed proposals, Upon a plan never attempted before in any language, I take the liberty to address You, as a friend to learning and an Encourager of arts and sciences. You will view the drawing, now laid before you, as the first, and as it were a rude, sketch of the Design,...
19Oxford University: Record of Degree of Doctor of Civil Law, 30 April 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS Register of Convocation, University Archives: Oxford University The “Heads of Houses” at Oxford University had voted, Feb. 22, 1762, to confer on Franklin the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law “whenever He shall please to visit the University.” Above, p. 59. The ceremony took place at a special Convocation on April 30, 1762. No copy of the diploma survives and the only official record...
20To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 10 May 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society Inclosed you have the second Copy of the above mentioned Bill, which I hope will come safe to your Hands; and am Yours, &c. Copy sent by the Patty, Captain Widdet from this Port to Bristol, in which was inclosed the second Copy of the above Bill. Third Copy of Do. sent by the Grace, Captain Kerr, to Bristol, Via New-York. . See above, p. 73. Pa....
21To Benjamin Franklin from David Hume, 10 May 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have a great many Thanks to give you for your Goodness in remembering my Request, and for the exact Description, which you sent me of your Method of preserving Houses from Thunder. I communicated it to our philosophical Society, as you gave me Permission; and they desire me to tell you that they claim it as their own, and intend to enrich with it the...
22To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 9 June 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society In my last to you, of the 10th ult. was designed to have been inclosed the third Copy of a Bill of Exchange for Three Hundred Pounds Sterling, but, by Accident, find I neglected to do it: This serves, therefore, to cover the same, to let you know that Mrs. Franklin and Sally are well; and that I am, Sir, Yours, &c. See above, pp. 79–80. Pa. Gaz...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 11 June 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society Whether the Invitation you give me to write to you proceeds from the Pleasure you receive or desire to bestow I shall not enquire; the first would gratify my Vanity most, but I am not less pleas’d with thinking you love to indulge me. When I say I have not Leisure for my favourite Amusements I am as much surpriz’d as you can be, and I wonder how my Time...
24To Benjamin Franklin from James Short: Bill and Receipt, with notes on the Care of the Telescope, 28 July 1762 (Franklin Papers)
DS and AD : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Dr. Franklin Dr. to James Short To three new Speculums to a 2 foot reflecting } £ 10. 10. – Telescope and reparations of the Brass work &c; London 2d Aug. 1762 Received of Dr. Franklin the above Sum in full of all Demands [On the reverse side:] Endorsed: Mr Short £10. 10. 0 Rules given by Mr. Short to keep the Telescope in Order 1. Let the...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 5 August 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was so unfortunate to lose the pleasure of seeing you yesterday in Cravenstreet, but I don’t know whether I ought to say it was unfortunate, for I only bring you distress. My Mother tells me I made you unhappy by my Tears. Could you expect me to part from you without shedding some? I am griev’d to think I should cause you uneasiness, but you need not...
26To Benjamin Franklin from John Sargent, 12 August 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Copy (incomplete), MS minutes: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania By our Friends here I am enabled to convey the enclosed Trifles to you, which are the best I could meet with at present and cost 5 Guineas each. You remember the Intention viz, for the two best Performances at the general Meeting or Publick Act of your College or Seminary. The Subject of one to be, in a short English...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Sargent Aufrere & Co., 12 August 1762 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society We have just sent you by the Channel of the Post Office the two Gold Medal’s which you will apply as a mark of our good Wishes for your College, and now inclose a Letter of Credit which we hope you will never have occasion for, but if you should, we are persuaded the Name of B. M. da Costa whatever Port you are carried into will be respected and procure you...
28To Benjamin Franklin from John Winthrop, 29 September 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), p. 434. There is an observation relating to electricity in the atmosphere, which seemed new to me, though perhaps it will not to you: However, I will venture to mention it. I have some points on the top of my house, and the wire where it passes within-side the house is furnished with...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 21 October 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I impatienly expect the good News of my Dear Franklin’s Safe Arrival. Wee regret Your Abscence, but there is a Time the Dearest Friends must Part but Wee Cherish our Minds with the Hopes of Long enjoyeing your Correspondence and Shareing in the Discoveries, the Effects of your Fruitfull Genius, which can happyly Imploye it Self, to your own Benefit or that...
30To Benjamin Franklin from John Hughes, 29 November 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The lands which Hughes proposed to buy in this letter had a tangled history. On Jan. 26, 1705, Col. Thomas Byerly purchased from Robert Squibb, Jr., about 21,000 acres in present-day Hunterdon and Warren counties in western New Jersey and something less than 20,000 acres in other parts of the province. By his will, dated May 26, 1725, Byerly “conveyed his...