1From Benjamin Franklin to Sir Alexander Dick, 11 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library My last Expedition convinc’d me that I grow too old for Rambling, and that ’twas probable I should never make such another Journey. ’Tis an uncomfortable Thing, the Parting with Friends one hardly expects ever again to see. This, with some occasional Hindrances, prevented my calling at Preston Fields after my Return from Glasgow: But my Heart was with you and your...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Agatha Drummond, 11 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Scottish Record Office I have lately received, in exceeding good Order, the valuable Present you have honoured me with, of Penn’s Picture. Please to accept my thankful Acknowledgments for the very great Favour, and for the abundant Civilities and Kindnesses receiv’d by me and my Friend during our pleasant Residence under your hospitable Roof at Blair Drummond. My best Respects to Lord...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 13 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society It was with great Pleasure I learnt by Mr. Marchant, that you and Mrs. Babcock and all your good Family continue well and happy. I hope I shall find you all in the same State when I next come your Way, and take Shelter as often heretofore under your hospitable Roof. The Colonel, I am told, continues an active and able Farmer, the most...
4From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 13 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; draft: American Philosophical Society In this letter, as in others later in the month, Franklin touched on a subject of crucial importance in the developing Anglo-American quarrel, the validity of the crown’s instructions to colonial governors. The issue had underlain the wrangling the year before between Governor Hutchinson and the House of...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 13 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Museum; draft: American Philosophical Society I have now before me your several Favours of July 10, Aug. 23, and Nov. 5. A long Journey I took in the Summer and Autumn for the Establishment of my Health, prevented my answering sooner the two first. I hope the State of your Health also is mended by your Retirement into the Country, as mine has sensibly been by that Journey. You...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, 13 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office; incomplete draft: American Philosophical Society I am now return’d again to London from a Journey of some Months in Ireland and Scotland. Though my Constitution, and too great Confinement to Business during the Winter, seem to require the Air and Exercise of a long Journey once a Year, which I have now practiced for more than 20 Years past, yet I should not have...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Franklin, 13 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter of Nov. 8. and rejoice to hear of the continued Welfare of you and your good Wife and four Daughters: I hope they will all get good Husbands. I dare say they will be educated so as to deserve them. I knew a wise old Man, who us’d to advise his young Friends to chuse Wives out of a Bunch; for where there were...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Catharine Greene, [13 January? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft; incomplete): American Philosophical Society [ First part missing :] I Send you a Copy of the Receipt, hoping that you may be a means of introducing so valuable a Manufacture into your Country; the more valuable, as the Cream is saved, and thence the Farm affords more Butter; at the same time that the Cheese is of so much greater Value. The principal Cause of its Goodness...
9From Benjamin Franklin to the Massachusetts House of Representatives Committee of Correspondence, 13 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., The Works of Benjamin Franklin … (10 vols., Boston, 1836–40), VII , 543–5. On my return from a late tour through Ireland and Scotland, for the establishment of my health, I found your respected letter of June 25th, with the papers therein referred to, relating to the townships settled eastward of Penobscot River. I immediately waited on Mr. Bollan to consult...
10From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 13 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Miss Louise B. Wallace, Los Angeles, California (1955); incomplete draft: American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letters of Sept. 12. and Nov. 9. I have now been some Weeks returned from my Journey thro’ Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and the North of England, which besides being an agreable Tour with a pleasant Companion, has contributed to the Establishment of my Health; and...
11From Benjamin Franklin to Elizabeth Hubbart Partridge, 13 January 1772: fragment (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft; incomplete): American Philosophical Society I received your angry-a-little Letter by Mr. Marchant, written to me “tho’ I had suffered a preceding one to remain two Years unanswered.” If I did so, which I doubt, I was exceedingly to blame, and must desire you to excuse me in consideration of the many I have to write and the little time I have for Writing. I am sure I...
12From Benjamin Franklin to Ezra Stiles, 13 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New Haven Colony Historical Society; draft: American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your Favour by Mr. Marchant, who appears a very worthy Gentleman, and I shall not fail to render him every Service in my Power. There is lately published in Paris, a Work intitled Zend-avesta , or the Writings of Zoroaster , containing the Theological, Philosophical and Moral Ideas of that Legislator,...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Ward, 13 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I thank you for recommending Mr. Marchant to me. I have had the Pleasure of a good deal of his Company in Scotland, and shall do every thing in my Power to serve him. I condole with you on the Loss of your amiable Partner. It must be a heavy one and hard to bear. I hope you will find Comfort in your Children. With great Esteem, I am, Dear...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 13 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since my last, which I think was by Jonathan, I have receiv’d yours of July 8, and 12. Aug. 5, Sept. 19. and Oct. 3. My not answering sooner was owing to my Absence in Ireland and Scotland on a Tour of between 3 and 4 Months, by which my Health was much benefited: And since my Return this is the first Ship to Boston that I have heard of. In yours of July 8....
15From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 13 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received yours of Sept. [ blank ] and Nov. 4. It gave me great Pleasure to hear of your safe Arrival and Entring on Business with such Appearance of Success. I wish you every kind of Prosperity. Agreable to your Request after making a rough Sketch of the Account which I now send to your Father, I paid the Ballance appearing in my Hands £83 3 s. 9½ d. to...
16From Benjamin Franklin to John Winthrop, 13 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I have received by Mr. Marchant the 52 s. you sent by him. I hope you received the Transactions for 1770. A new Volume is expected soon, which I shall forward by the first Opportunity. The enclos’d I have just receiv’d from Dr. Price, into whose Hands I put your Paper, which he has now return’d to me. Let me know if you would have me give...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 28 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I have written several short Letters to you lately just to let you know of my Welfare, and promising to write more fully by Capt. Falconer, which I now sit down to do, with a Number of your Favours before me. I received the Box and Letter from Mr. Peter Miller, but if as you mention, Enoch Davenport brought it, I did not see him. Perhaps...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Anthony Tissington, 28 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I received your very kind Letter of the 15th. together with the Turkey, which prov’d exceeding fine. We regal’d a Number of our Friends with it, and drank your and Mrs. Tissington’s Health, which we wish’d sincerely. Mrs. Stevenson keeps about, but is ever ailing, like your Dame, with Rheumatic Pains that fly from Limb to Limb continually....
19From Benjamin Franklin to Sarah Franklin Bache, 29 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I received your agreable Letters of Oct. 11. and Nov. 5. I met with Mr. Bache at Preston, where I staid two or three Days, being very kindly entertained by his Mother and Sisters, whom I lik’d much. He came to town with me, and is now going home to you. I have advis’d him to settle down to Business in Philadelphia where he will always be...
20From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 30 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I have now before me yours of July 3. Aug. 3. Sept. 3. and Nov. 5. All but the last came in my Absence, which is the Reason they were not immediately answer’d. In yours of July 3. you mention some Complaisance of Lord H’s towards you, that show’d a Disposition of being upon better Terms. His Behaviour to me in Ireland corresponds exactly....
21Memorandum about Lord Hillsborough, [January 1772?] (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): Library of Congress When the Petition first came over, an Accident had happen’d to the Paper that made it unfit to be presented, Therefore a Duplicate was waited for, being expected in some other Ship. Before that arriv’d Lord Hillsborough was gone to Ireland. On his Return B.F. waited on him 5 several times, or rather endeavoured to wait on him, but was always refus’d Admittance,...
22From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 3 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have written a long Letter to you, which goes per Capt. Falconer, who Sails in a few Days; but as I know you like to have a Letter by every Ship, I write this Line just to let you know I continue well, Thanks to God, as I hope this will find you and our Children. Mrs. Stevenson sends her Love to you all. Her Grandson grows a very fine Boy indeed. Mr....
23From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 3 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society This will be delivered to you by the Revd. Mr. Coombe, whom I recommend to your Friendship as a young Gentleman of great Merit, Integrity, and Abilities. He has acquir’d the Esteem of all that knew him here, not as an excellent Preacher only, but as practising the Morality he preaches. I wish him a good Settlement in his Native Country,...
24From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, 4 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft) and autograph extract: American Philosophical Society I have written two or three small Letters to you since my Return from Ireland and Scotland. I now have before me your Favours of Oct. 1. Nov. 5. and Nov. 13. Mr. Todd has not yet shewn me that which you wrote to him about the New Colony, tho’ he mention’d it, and will let me see it, I suppose, when I call on him. I...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Bond, 5 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your Favour by Mr. D. Kuhn, but being then just setting out on a Tour thro’ Ireland and Scotland, I had not time to answer it, Mr. Kuhn I believe went directly to Sweden. I shall, if he returns hither while I am here, gladly render him any Service in my Power. I suppose your Son Richard will spend some Time in London, where, by what I have heard,...
26From Benjamin Franklin to Rebecca Haydock, 5 February 1772: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: reprinted from The Aurora , August 24, 1802 I received my industrious young friend’s parcel of silk, and should very willingly have taken any necessary care to see it manufactured agreeable to your directions; but your relation, Mrs. Foster, linen draper of Bishopsgate street, who appears a notable clever woman in business, called upon me for it; and informing me that she had a friend...
27From Benjamin Franklin to John Morgan, 5 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I received your Favour of July 6. just as I was about setting out on a Journey thro’ Ireland and Scotland, chiefly with a View to establish my Health by the Change of Air and daily Exercise. This prevented my Writing till now. I thank you for the inaugural Dissertations, and am pleas’d to see our College begin to make some Figure as a School of Physic,...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Stephen Crane, 6 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library After the Recess of Parliament the great Off[icers] of State generally go into the Country, and no publick Business except what may be immediately necessary, is done or taken into Consideration till the next Session brings them together again. Being much Confind to the town by business in the Winter I Usually take the Opportunity of the recess to make a Journey of...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwalader Evans, 6 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., The Works of Benjamin Franklin … (10 vols., Boston, 1836–40), VIII , 3–4. The trunks of silk were detained at the customhouse till very lately; first, because of the holidays, and then waiting to get two persons, skilful in silk, to make a valuation of it, in order to ascertain the bounty. As soon as that was done, and the trunks brought to my house, I waited...
30From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 6 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library If I complain’d of your seldom Writing, the Case is now alter’d, and you may have more Cause to make the same Complaint of me: For I find before me your several Favours of Oct. 12, and 16. and Dec. 3. and 21. The last indeed came to hand but this Evening. The Ohio Grant is not yet compleated, but the Completion is every Day expected. When it is, I shall, as you...
31From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Smith, 6 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Stan V. Henkels, Catalogue No. 1452 (April 9, 1931), pp. 4–5. The Parliament has open’d with a Calm in Politics, which seems to promise a quiet Session, the Opposition appearing to be in a very Declining Way. There is not Talk of any Purpose to meddle with American Affairs, either by repealing the Present Duties or adding new ones. A Peace between the Turks and Russians is...
32From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 11 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and draft: American Philosophical Society Permit me to thank you, not only on my own Account for the Book itself you have so kindly sent me, but in Behalf of the Publick for Writing it. It being in my Opinion, (considering the profound Study, and steady Application of Mind that the Work required, the sound Judgment with which it is executed, and its great and important Utility to the...
33Power of Attorney to Deborah Franklin and Richard Bache, 17 February 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society <February 17, 1772. Franklin empowers Deborah Franklin and Richard Bache to request and receive payment of all debts due him in America, except those owed him by William Franklin, and to take all legal actions and whatever other lawful steps may be necessary for collecting from the debtors or their executors or administrators. Sealed, stamped, and delivered...
34From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 18 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Franklin Library, Franklin, Massachusetts You will receive this Line, I hope soon by our Son Bache. I wish you Joy beforehand of his Return, to live with his Family in Philadelphia. Supposing it would be agreable to you, as well as advantageous to our Interest in the collecting of our Debts, I have joined him in a Power of Attorney with you, for that purpose. Mr. Bache will tell you all...
35From Benjamin Franklin to Lancelot Cowper, 13 March 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I was favoured by your Forwarding a Letter to me the 7th of last Month, which came in Capt. Spain, with a small Box; and you were so good as to say, the Box too should be forwarded when landed; but it is not yet come to hand. If it has been sent, I beg to know by what Conveyance, that I may enquire for it. If not I must request you would forward it by the first...
36From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 19 March 1772 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letters of Jany 5. and Feby. 3. and am glad to hear your Kingbird has gone thro’ his second Inoculation. Capt. Osborne is not yet arrived here. By this Ship I send the Curtains you write for. Mrs. Stevenson thought it best to have them made here. The enclos’d Letter to Sally will explain all. A new Bedstead is to be made with...
37From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 20 March 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : text, Yale University Library; cover with address, Haverford College Library. I received your kind Letter of Feb. 3. containing a Note of the Moneys you have received on our Company Account since February 1770, and what you have paid to Mrs. Franklin. I am much obliged by your kind Attention to her in several Instances, and return you my hearty Thanks. My Longing for home increases every...
38From Benjamin Franklin to Humphry Marshall, 20 March 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received your obliging Letter of Nov. 27. It was forwarded to me from Bristol by Mr. Cowper, who mention’d on the Back of it, that the Box should be forwarded also as soon as it came on shore. Not receiving it in some time, I wrote to him about it, and had for Answer that it had been sent three Weeks since, and I should find it on Enquiry at Gerrard’s Hall...
39From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 30 March 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this Day receiv’d your kind Letter by Mrs. Wright. She has shown me some of her Work which appears extraordinary. I shall recommend her among my Friends if she chuses to work here. I will enquire for the Books Jenny desires, and send them if I can get them. As you are so curious to know something of Mr. Fox, I will see if I can find him out in St....
40From Benjamin Franklin to Noble Wimberly Jones, 2 April 1772 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook draft; incomplete): American Philosophical Society I was in Ireland when your respected Favour of July 8. arrived at my House here. On my Return, which was just before the Meeting of Parliament I by a Line or two, acknowledg’d the Receipt of it, intending to write more largely as soon as any Business should occur. I hoped the Petition relating to the controverted Lands would...
41From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., [on or before 2 April 1772]: fragment (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft; fragment): American Philosophical Society [ Beginning lost : sub]scribers they are now sold at a Guinea and half, and not under. You will take such an Advance on them as you can get in reason, and pay the Money to your Aunt Mecom. My Love to her. Several Ships are arrived from Boston, without bringing me a Line from any Correspondent there. Stick to the Ready Money Only...
42From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Wheeler, 3 April 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library In November, 1771, just a year after the first sample of Pennsylvania silk had been sent to Franklin, the first consignment was dispatched to him for sale in London. But this was not his only responsibility to the Managers of the Philadelphia Filature; they also wished his help in acquiring some land in the city, presumably for their establishment. Obtaining a...
43From Benjamin Franklin to ——, 3 April 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society Yesterday we tapp’d the Porter, and found it excellent. To prevent its being wasted, we have bottled it off, having a safer Place for Bottles, and imagining that in our slow Draught it might not keep so fresh. So we are enabled Herewith to return the Cask. How bountiful a Gratuity for half a Sheet of Paper! I can only say, that ’tis pity you are not...
44From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin and Elizabeth West, [before 4 April 1772?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Yale University Library <Before April 4, [1772? ], and in the third person. An invitation to dinner next Saturday, April 4.> Between the artist’s marriage and BF ’s return to America, April 4 fell on a Saturday in 1767 and 1772. Our predecessors did not print the invitation under the earlier date, and we are therefore assigning it to the later one.
45From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, 13 April 1772 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., The Works of Benjamin Franklin … (10 vols., Boston, 1836–40), VIII , 7–8. I wrote to you in January last a long letter, by Meyrick, and at the same time wrote to the Committee, since which I have received no line from any one in Boston, nor has Mr. Bollan yet received the answer we wait for, respecting the eastern settlements on the crown land. The Parliament...
46From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 13 April 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter by Mrs. Wright, and shall do her all the Service in my Power. I think I wrote to you by Cousin Josiah, who sailed in Acworth last Week, and I hope will get safe home to his Friends. I continue well, and purpose returning this Summer, God willing, and then may hope next Year for the Pleasure of seeing you, as 1773 is my Period for...
47From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Baptiste LeRoy, 20 April 1772 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft ): American Philosophical Society I received your Favour of March 5 per M. Dazoux, and shall be glad of any Opportunity of doing him Service. It gave me great Pleasure to learn by him, that you are well and happily married, on which I give you Joy. ’Tis after all the most natural State of Man. Mr. West our President concerning whom you make Enquiry, is esteemed as a good Antiquarian,...
48From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Priestley, 4 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society I think with you that there cannot be the least Occasion for my explaining your Method of impregnating Water with fix’d Air to Messrs. Banks and Solander, as they were present and I suppose are as well acquainted with it as my self; however I shall readily do it if they think it necessary. I am glad you intend to improve and publish the Process. You...
49From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwalader Evans, 5 May 1772: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., The Works of Benjamin Franklin … (10 vols., Boston, 1836–40), VIII , 4–5 n. You write, that, besides what was sent here, fifty-four pounds had been reeled at the filature of private persons, who are getting it manufactured into mitts, stockings, and stuffs. This gives me great pleasure to hear; and I hope that practice will be rather followed, than...
50From Benjamin Franklin to John Foxcroft, [on or before 5 May 1772]: fragment (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft; fragment): American Philosophical Society My Love to dear Mrs. Foxcroft, and to little Sally my grandaughter. My best Wishes attend you all, being as ever, Your affectionate Friend and humble Servant The fragment appears in the letterbook immediately before BF to WF below, May 5, and is clearly the end of BF ’s reply to Foxcroft’s letter above, March 2, which mentioned...