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...