1To Benjamin Franklin from John Alleyne, 13 August 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Thanks I would Return, if any Thanks were equal to that Obliging Favor which came last Night to my Hand, with what impatience did I read, with what Raptures did I see that you so entirely approv’d my Marriage, with what Gratitude did my Heart Glow when I Read those words of Advice with which Your Letter Clos’d, Words will not express my Ideas, I will not...
2To Benjamin Franklin from the Associates of Dr. Bray, [before 7 April 1768]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , XXIV (1900), 389. [Before April 7. A notice of the meeting of the Associates at ten o’clock on that day, at their office at the Angel and Bible in Ave-Mary Lane.] For the Associates and BF ’s connection with them see above, VII , 100 n., 377–9; IX , 12.
3To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 6 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself the Pleasure of writing you the other day by Sparks. I do not know that you will thank me for adding to the Number of your Correspondents, but the Sense I have of my Duty, prompts me to pay this Respect to you. I forgot to acquaint you in my last, that Mr. Bayard of Newyork, sent to me two Exemplifications of his Majesties Commission,...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 8 May 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is apparently the earliest surviving letter in a correspondence which, as the wording makes clear, had been going on for some time. Out of it was evolving a friendship that with the years grew in significance for both men. Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg (1709–79) had interests as broad as Franklin’s own and, like him, engaged in a range of activities that was...
5To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 5 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have often intended to have wrote to thee this several years but has often been tould that thee was soon to return to thy family and friends so I omitted it, but lately hearing that thee was likely to stay longer I now not onely write a letter of friendship but allso request a favour which the death of our warthy dear friend Peter Collinson hath obliged...
6To Benjamin Franklin from William Bean, 24 March 1768: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Coverley’s Fields, opposite the Cock and Hoop; March 24, 1768. He called on Franklin on March 16 and found him engaged, and asks to know whether “there is Any Encouragement for Me in the Colonies.”] In her letter to BF above, Jan. 21–22, 1768, DF had remarked that “the Beens is at New York.” If this cryptic reference is to people rather than the...
7To Benjamin Franklin from James Boswell, [14 May 1768] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Boswell presents his compliments to Dr. Franklin and begs leave to put him in mind of his engagement to dine with him to day. Addressed: Dr. Franklin / at Mrs. Stephensons / Craven Street The date is established by Boswell’s description of the dinner, for which see Frank Brady and Frederick A. Pottle, eds., Boswell in Search of a Wife, 1766–1769 (New...
8To Benjamin Franklin from George Croghan, 12 February 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Copy in Historical Society of Pennsylvania; fragment, lacking first five paragraphs, in American Philosophical Society. I did myself the pleasure of writing to you on the 2d of October from Lancaster; And since my Return from meeting the Western Nations, I have had the Favor of your Letter of the 5th. August 1767. I am much gratified, That the Elephant’s Bones were acceptable to you; and with...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas-François Dalibard, 14 June 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai bien reçu dans son tems la très obligeante lettre que vous m’avéz fait l’honneur de m’écrire au mois de Mars dernier; mais le Livre de Priestly qu’elle m’annonçoit, ne m’a été remis qu’environ trois semaines après la lettre. Le paquet de livres que M. Molini libraire à Paris attendoit de Londres, fut long-tems retardé en route, et quand il fut arrivé...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours, 10 May 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai êté infiniment sensible à votre bonté en apprenant par Monsieur le Docteur Quesnay que vous aviez daigné me chercher et vous informer de moi pendant votre dernier séjour à Paris. Malheureusement pour moi vous n’avez vu M. Quesnay que dans les deux ou trois jours qui ont precede immediatement votre départ; Je n’en ai êté instruit que le jour même où...
11To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Falconer, 3 July 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is to acquaint you of my arrival after a Passage of five weeks and 3 Days. I left Mrs. Franklin and Mrs. Beech [Bache] well the 21st. of May and also the Governor having heard from him the Day before I saild. I have not sent your Letters at home by the Post. But shall waite on you with them as soon as I get up to London please to make my best...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Fayerweather, 5 December 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Altho’ I cannot Claim a sufficient Acquaintance with You to found An Address Upon of any kind in the Epistolary Way, yet your knowledge of My Dear Brother Winthrop Hollissian Professor of the Mathematicks in Cambridge New England, And that Profound Regard you’ve Expressd towards Him in the most Signal Manner, not only Attracts my Gratitude, But Humbly...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph-Étienne Bertier, 31 January 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society With cordial Thanks for your many Civilities to me when in Paris, I take this Opportunity of acquainting you, that your Certificate has been received by the Royal Society, and ordered to be hung up the usual Time which is Ten Meetings; but it was observed to be deficient in not mentioning your Christian Name, without which it is not reckon’d regular. I...
14The State of the Trade with the West Indies, 3–6 December 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , December 3–6, 1768 In a Letter of mine, which you inserted in your Paper of Nov. 3, was contained a view of the state of our commerce with the American continent colonies. I now send you a view of our commerce with the West India or Sugar Islands, taken, as the former was, from the Custom House accounts. When your Readers have compared and considered these...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 5 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Cornell University Library It feels very strange to me to have Ships and Packets come in, and no Letters from you. But I do not complain of it, because I know the reason is, my having written to you that I was coming home. That you may not have the same disagreable Sensation, I write this Line, tho’ I have written largely by the late Ships, and therefore have little left to say. I have...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas-François Dalibard, 31 January 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I sent you sometime since, Priestly’s History of Electricity, under the Care of Mr. Molini, Bookseller on the Quay des Augustins; I hope it got safe to Paris, and that you have receiv’d it. [I w]ish the Reading of it may renew your Taste for that Branch of Philosophy, which is already so greatly indebted to you, as being the first of [Man?] kind that had...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 16 April 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Historical Society of Pennsylvania While I am writing, the letters by the March packet are come to hand with yours of the 9th and 12th. Amidst all the sickness and misfortunes to our friends what reason have you and I to bless God, that we at these years enjoy with our children so great a Share of health and so much happiness in other respects. Let us be thankful for what is past...
18Arguments Pro and Con: I, 18–20 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , October 18–20, 1768 As I have often experienced the great difference there is, in point of clearness of argument, between the most attentive consideration of a subject only in thought, and committing the arguments pro and con to paper, so that they be coolly reviewed, I bestowed an idle hour to draw up the arguments for and against the American claims, with as...
19Phonetic alphabet, with Franklin’s comments, [20 July? 1768] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society The document that follows was in the papers of Mary Stevenson Hewson. They included many letters of hers to Franklin that were returned to her after his death, and they came down through her descendants to their eventual resting place in the American Philosophical Society. The presence among them of an undated document does not, of course, indicate that it...
20From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 13 February 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter per Capt. Story, of Nov. 19, and a subsequent one per Capt. Falkner without date. I have received also the Indian and Buckwheat Meal that they brought from you, with the Apples, Cranberries and Nuts, for all which I thank you. They all prove good, and the Apples were particularly welcome to me and my Friends, as there happens to...
21From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 16 April 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The March Packet is just arrived, and has brought me your Favour of the 10th of that Month, containing a strongly painted Description of the present unhappy State of our Province, from the Debility of the Government, and the Folly and Wickedness of the Frontier People. I can now only say, that I shall make the best Use of your Letter, by communicating it to the...
22Reply to Thomas Crowley, 21 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
AD : British Museum; printed in The Public Advertiser , October 24, 1768. Thomas Crowley, an English Quaker and merchant engaged in the iron trade with America, had traveled there enough to realize the strength of colonial resistance to taxation by Parliament. He had been campaigning in consequence for a federation of the empire, with a single imperial parliament, as the means of reconciling...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 28 July 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Extract reprinted from The American Museum, or, Universal Magazine , VIII (July, 1790), 120. I greatly approve the epithet, which you give in your letter of the 8th of June, to the new method of treating the small-pox, which you call the tonic or bracing method. I will take occasion from it, to mention a practice to which I have accustomed myself. You know the cold bath has long been in vogue...
24From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 16 February 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Nationalbibliothek, Vienna I wrote to you per Packet, and also by Mr. Ayres, who goes in Sparks. But I must send you a Line per Capt. Falkener, and another per Capt. Story, if ’tis only to say over again that I am well, and to acknowledge the Receipt of your kind Letters and Presents of Meal, Apples, Nuts, Cranberries &c. I have written to Sally too by Mr. Ayres, My Love to her and all...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 20 February 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have written to you lately by Packet, by Mr. Ayres, and by Capt. Falkener, and have little to add; but I know you will expect a Line by our Friend Capt. Story. I hope he will succeed in his new Employment, and indeed I make no doubt of it, for he is very obliging and seems to be much lik’d. It griev’d me to hear of the Death of that fine Child of theirs....
26From Benjamin Franklin to O[liver] N[eave, before 1769] (Franklin Papers)
Printed from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity … (4th edition, London, 1769), pp. 463–8 This letter was subsequently reprinted many times as a treatise on swimming. Nothing is known about the recipient, except that in 1762 Franklin acknowledged a paper from him on the transmission of sound. The present letter was either written at about the same time, or appeared...
27From Benjamin Franklin to John Alleyne, 9 August 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society This well known letter was apparently first published in The Gentleman’s Magazine , LIX (1789), 384–5; the printed version differs substantially from the draft in only a few passages, noted below. Little is known about John Alleyne: he was the son of Thomas Alleyne of Queen Street, Westminster, was admitted to the Middle Temple in 1767, married Nancy...
28Reply to “A Portugal Merchant,” [end of April 1768] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society Your Paper of April 28. contains a Letter from Lisbon , signed A Portugal Merchant , which charges me with an Attempt to set “the British Merchants residing there at variance with their fellow Subjects in America,” quoting, as the Foundation of his Charge, the following Passage of a Letter of mine to you, which he terms politely absurd, false , and...
29Arguments Pro and Con: II, 27–29 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , October 27–29, 1768 Having, in your Chronicle of Oct. 20, mentioned some losses which this nation may sustain by inforcing the payment of taxes in America, it is but just we should now inquire into the benefits that may arise to us from the success of this measure. I believe no one will be so sanguine as to expect that the Americans will not so far resent our...
30From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, [October? 1768] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I return my dear Polly her Letters with Thanks for the Sight of them. Dr. Hawkesworth’s Account of Mr. Stanley’s Loss of Hair, is full and Satisfactory. Young Mr. Henckell has left our well-spelt Letters with me for you: but those I take the Liberty to keep. We are all well and all love you. Adieu. Yours affectionately For John Hawkesworth, LL.D., essayist,...
31From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Wharton, 20 February 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D., F.R.S., &c. (quarto edition, 3 vols., London, 1817–18), II , 155–6. I received your favours of November 17, and 18, with another dozen of excellent wine the manufacture of our friend Lievezy. I thank you for the care you have taken in forwarding them, and for your kind good wishes that...
32From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 13 August 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Mrs. E[lizabeth] D[uane] Gillespie, A Book of Remembrance (Philadelphia and London, 1901), facsimile ALS facing pp. 22–3. I received yours of May 20, as also the preceding Letters mentioned in it. You must have been sensible that I thought the step you had taken, to engage yourself in the Charge of a Family, while your Affairs bore so unpromising an Aspect with Regard to the...
33From Benjamin Franklin to Anthony Todd, 29 October 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Copy of ALS : Clements Library Franklin’s long-lasting interest in the Gulf Stream, which is first mentioned in this letter, was aroused largely by accident. The newly installed customs commissioners in Boston complained to the Treasury that packets from Falmouth to New York were taking a fortnight longer on the voyage than merchant ships from London to Rhode Island, and proposed that in...
34The State of the Trade with the Northern Colonies, 1–3 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , November 1–3, 1768. At a time when our disputes with America make the topic of much conversation, it may be agreeable to your Readers to have a clear view of the present state of our trade to and from the Northern Colonies . Such I now send you, being an extract from the Custom House books, (by which that trade from England only, exclusive of Scotland, appears...
35From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 21 February 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter of Dec. 1. I condole with you affectionately once more on the grievous Affliction you have met with, praying God to make the rest of your Life more comfortable and happy. I thank you for your Congratulations on my Daughter’s Marriage. She has pleas’d herself and her Mother, and I hope she will do well: but I think they should...
36Queries, 16–18 August 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , August 16–18, 1768 QUERIES recommended to the Consideration of those Gentlemen who are for vigorous Measures with the Americans . 1. Have the Colonists refused to answer any reasonable requisitions made to their Assemblies by the Mother Country? 2. If they have not refused to grant reasonable aids in the way, which they think consistent with liberty , why must...
37From Benjamin Franklin to John Ross, 14 May 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received your Favour of March 13. and am extreamly concern’d at the Disorders on our Frontiers, and the extreme Debility if not wicked Connivance of our Government and Magistrates, which must make Property and even Life more and more insecure among us, if some effectual Remedy is not speedily apply’d. I have laid all the Accounts before the Ministry...
38Causes of the American Discontents before 1768, 5–7 January 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , January 5–7, 1768. Verner W. Crane has called this essay “perhaps the most famous contribution by Franklin, after the Examination , to the propaganda of the American Revolution.” The colonial reaction to the Townshend Acts, particularly in Massachusetts, was provoking such anger in England that Franklin felt the need to explain the American position. He first...
39From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Kames, 28 February 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Abercairny Collection, Scottish Record Office, Edinburgh It gave me great Pleasure to see my dear good Friend’s Name at the Foot of a Letter I received the other day, having been often uneasy at his long Silence, blaming myself as the Cause by my own previous Backwardness and Want of Punctuality as a Correspondent. I now suppose (as in this he mentions nothing of it) that a long Letter I...
40On Civil War, 25 August 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted in The Pennsylvania Chronicle , November 28–December 5, 1768, from The Public Advertiser , August 25, 1768. Threescore years did the oppressed United Provinces maintain a war in defence of their liberties against the then powerful kingdom of Spain, with all the wealth of the Indies at it’s command; and finally obliged [it] to acknowledge their independency in a formal treaty, sitting...
41From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 8 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New Haven Colony Historical Society I write this Line in great Haste, just to let you know I am well, and to request your Care in delivering the enclosed. I am, with Love to our Children, Your affectionate Husband
42From Benjamin Franklin to [John Canton], 9 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Royal Society Dr. Priestly left these Specimens of the Circles with me to be produc’d to the Society. As I cannot be there this Evening, when I understand the Paper is to be read, I inclose them to you. Those that look at them should be caution’d not to rub them, lest they should be defac’d before the Company have all had a Sight of them. I am, Yours &c. The letter is among the...
43From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 13 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I wrote to you very fully per Falconer of Feb. 17. and have since received yours of Jan. 21. together with one from the Committee, and the Messages, which, as you will see by my Answer to the Committee, I communicated to Lord Hillsborough. His Lordship read them deliberately, and took Notice that the Message of the Assembly seem’d to insinuate, that the Governor...
44On Absentee Governors: II, 27 August 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted in The Pennsylvania Chronicle , January 2–9, 1769, from The Public Advertiser , August 27, 1768. There are some advocates for the Ministers so extremely forward, that they cannot wait till they obtain a true information of facts. Even Daylight unluckily is very much in the dark himself. The truth is, that NOT ONE of the officers he mentions, except Sir Jeffery Amherst, have been...
45From Benjamin Franklin to the Printer of the Gazetteer, 18 May 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser , May 18, 1768. In order to shew my countrymen the sentiments of the North Americans, I request you will publish in your paper the inclosed hand bill, which came over by the last ship from Philadelphia, and there is no doubt but great numbers of them have been dispersed in that and the other provinces. Franklin wrote only the first paragraph,...
46From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 11 June 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received yours of April 22 and 24. and rejoice to hear that you continue well notwithstanding the Fatigues you must have undergone with poor Debby. Mr. Coleman is with me. The Surgeon from whom he hoped a Cure when he came over, being gone abroad, and his Return uncertain, he has chosen upon the best Advice, to submit to have the diseased part cut out,...
47From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 9 January 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D., F.R.S., &c. (quarto edition, 3 vols., London, 1817–18), II , 152. I wrote to you via Boston and have little to add except to acquaint you that some changes have taken place since my last, which have not the most promising aspect for America, several of the Bedford party being come into...
48From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 20 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By this Ship, (Capt. Scot, ) Mrs. Stevenson sends you half a Piece of Muslin, Apron width, which cost Four Guineas. She hopes it will please, and presents her Compliments and best Wishes. I am in very good Health, Thanks to God: but just now very busy. So can only add, that I am, as ever, Your affectionate Brother Addressed: To / Mrs Mecom / Hanover street...
49From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Baptiste LeRoy, 14 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; draft dated January 31, 1768, also in American Philosophical Society. Whenever I reflect, as I often do, on the kind Reception I met with at Paris, and the Civilities heap’d upon me there by that People, the politest sure of all Mankind, I dwell with particular Pleasure on the Remembrance of my Acquaintance with you, which I esteem as one of the happiest...
50From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 20 September 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The last Letter I have received from you is dated May 11. I hope you continue well, tho’ ’tis so long since I have heard from you. As your good Friend Capt. Freeman has not been here this Summer, I am afraid his Sickness that you mention proved fatal to him, which I shall be sorry to hear, as I had conceiv’d a great Esteem for him. I suppose the Dissolution...