1To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 6 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Session of the Assembly which ended the 21st. Ulto. and the Xmas Holidays since, have so engrossed my Time, that I have not been able to write you fully as I intended. At present I have taken up the Pen principally to acquaint you that I have had a very amicable Session, contrary to the Expectation of every Body, and indeed contrary to the Intention of...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Tissington, 15 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope this will find you well in Craven Street, after a Summer of rambling, in which I have been so unfortunate as not to see you; in your first ramble thro’ Derbyshire I was in Scotland; in your last, at home, and sick of not seeing you. I am my Self very well, my Wife yet poorly; wishes to hear that Mrs. Stevenson holds stout; and yesterday sent a Turkey...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Hannah Walker, 15 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Humbly beg Leave to Congratulate you on the Happy return of your Birth Day and wish you a great many returns in health and Happiness to the great Comfort of all your good Family and to all those as have felt the Effects of your Benevolent Hand as I my Self think I am bound in Duty to Congratulate So good a Friend on So happy occasion. My Family joyns me...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Jackson, [16 January? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I return you Monsr. D Anquetil’s Voyage, which I found reason to wish to read more attentively than I at first intended to have done. The Evident carelessness and Ignorance of the Author in many Points and his palpable Malignity against the whole English Nation, in general, notwithstanding he is obliged to confess the Civility he received from Particulars,...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Elizabeth Montagu, [January?] 16, [1772?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mrs. Montagu presents her compliments to Dr. Franklyn, and is afraid he will think her troublesome in desiring the favour of his company on Sunday next the 19th, as well as on this day sennight. Mr. Bolton, who has promised to dine with Mrs. Montagu on sunday, will be best rewarded for his civility by meeting Dr. Franklyn, and so great an Artist as Mr....
6To Benjamin Franklin from William Outram, 17 January 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <London, January 17, 1772: Has been commissioned by the Rev. Mr. Dunlap to take care of buying and shipping a good armonica for Dunlap’s son Benjamin, organist in his father’s church in Virginia, and to ask Franklin where such an instrument might be had; should be obliged to have the information addressed to him at the bar of the Virginia Coffee House. > A...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Miss Martin, 20 January 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <General Post Office, January 20, 1772; a note in the third person. Asks Franklin to accept a copy of an Irish almanac which she has received that day. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson join her in compliments.> She has not appeared before, and no other correspondence of hers with BF is extant. We have discovered little about her except that she knew him reasonably well....
8To Benjamin Franklin from John Hope, 23 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I was honoured with yours of the 11th in Course of Post But defered acknowledging the Receipt of it till the box of plants arrived—which box came to hand yesterday and I hope I shall be able to save a few of them. By an odd accident the medal has not been got ready and it may be still some weeks before it is. But as soon as it is ready, it shall be...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Sargent, Chambers and Co., 25 January 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Mincing Lane, January 25, 1772, in the third person. The firm has received instructions by Mr. Bache to withdraw Franklin’s account, which with interest amounts to £149 16 s. 1 d. ; what does he wish to have done with the money? > For the mercantile firm, formerly Sargent Aufrere, see above, IX , 359 n; XIII , 295 n. The withdrawal was part of a present of...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 25 January [1772–75?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Jermyn Street, January 25, [1772–75? ], in the third person and the Bishop’s hand. Invites Franklin to dinner tomorrow.> BF ’s acquaintance with the Bishop of St. Asaph and his family began, as far as we know, in the summer of 1771; we are therefore assigning this invitation to what seems to be the earliest likely date.
11To Benjamin Franklin from John Foxcroft, 2 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have the happiness to acquaint you that your Daughter was safely brought to Bed the 20th. Ulto. and presented me with a sweet little Girl, they are both in good spirits and are likely to do very well. I was seized with a Giddyness in my head the Day before yesterday which alarms me a good Deal as I had 20 oz. of Blood taken from me and took Physick...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Noble Wimberly Jones, 2 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Not having had the pleasure for some time of a line from you, gives me great concern, lest I by any Means have given offence, which if so can with truth assure you, must be without the least knowledge or intent as there is no Gentleman, with whom have only had the pleasure of a Written Corrispondence I do esteem more. We still remain as when I last Wrote,...
13To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 3 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Your last kind Letter to me, was dated June 11, 1770. in Answer to mine of the 17th. of March preceding. What Money I have since received on our Company Account is as follows, viz. For the Gazette, from February 17, 1770 to Jany. 28, 1772 £358 13 s. By Cash received for Work done, as credited in the Ledger, in the above mentioned Time 181 17 s. 10½ d....
14To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Bache, 5 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your kind, and agreeable preasant, which gave us all great pleasure it is so like the original. You cannot imagine with what pleasure we look at it, as we can perceive in it, the likeness of my Son, as well as your Self. My daughter Marther told Mr. Atherton that Doctor Franklin was come, the Next Morning he came down, and ask’t wather the Doctor...
15Summons to Benjamin Franklin, with Memorandum by Him, 6–7 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and ADS : American Philosophical Society Benjamin Franklin Esqr. without Deduction being on Account of the purchase and Transportation of Forage for the Use of the forces Commanded by Genl. Braddock by Warrant dated 21st. June 1755 ——£1000 The Sheriffs of London and Middlesex have process come into their hands against you for not passing your Accounts of the above Sum, to which they are to...
16To Benjamin Franklin from David Hume, 7 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library I was very glad to hear of your safe Arrival in London, after being expos’d to as many Perils, as St. Paul, by Land and by Water: Though to no Perils among false Brethren: For the good Wishes of all your Brother Philosophers in this place attend you heartily and sincerely, together with much Regret that your Business wou’d not allow you to pass more time among...
17To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan and Anna Mordaunt Shipley, [before 9 February 1772]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Before February 9, in the third person and the Bishop’s hand. He and his wife invite Franklin to dinner next Sunday, February 9.> Feb. 9 fell on a Sunday during BF ’s second mission only in 1766 and 1772, and as far as we know he was not acquainted with the Shipleys until 1771.
18To Benjamin Franklin from John Alleyne, 11 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Having often experiencd the Effects of your Benevolence and Friendship, I am emboldened to request the Favour of the Loan of £50 ’till Monday next. The Occasion of my troubling You is a desire to pay a Sum of Money which I cannot make up without some Assistance before Monday. If you will be so good as to send Me a Draught enclos’d in a Letter by the...
19To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Ronayne, 15 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : the Royal Society In conformity to the desire of some Friends, I have drawn up the foregoing Observations on atmospherical Electricity, which I beg leave to lay before you; and shall think the trouble I have had, in prosecuting the necessary Experiments, sufficiently compensated, if it shall appear to you that they contain any thing new or curious; in which case, you are at liberty to...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Rogers, [20 February 1772] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Major Rogers presents his most respectful Compliments to Doctr. Franklin, informs him that his Petition for a Tour thro’ the North American Continent, comes on before the Committee of Council on Tuesday next, when he hopes for the Doctrs. Interest on that affair. At the same time requests the Doctr. will inform him where Govr. Pomlin lives. Addressed: To...
21To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 28 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In your Letter of the 20th. of April last you sent me enclosed your London Account against the Estate of Mr. Parker, and requested me to assist in securing the Debt. I gave the Account soon after it came to hand to Miss Parker, who promised to deliver it to her Mother, and to let me have a Copy of her Father’s Account against you as it stood in his Books,...
22To Benjamin Franklin from John Foxcroft, 2 March 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am favour’d with yours of Decr. 3d by the Packet which Informs me of your having just return’d from a long Journey for your Healths sake and that you find it much Strengthened by it, on which Occasion give me leave sincerely to Congratulate you. I am extremely obliged to you for your offer of paying the £25 advanced on the Ohio affair. I wrote fully...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste LeRoy, 5 March 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je demande Monsieur à tous les Anglois que Je vois de vos nouvelles. Je vis dernierement M. Ingelhausen qui me fit grand plaisir en me disant que vous vous portiez toujours bien ainsi que M. le Chevalier Pringle et je vous assurre que je m’entretins de vous deux avec lui avec une grande joie. Mais dites moi mon cher Docteur Est ce que depuis un an il ne...
24To Benjamin Franklin from John Huske, 10 March 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The enclosed Letter will fully disclose to you the Plan and the views of the Gentleman, who designs himself the honor of delivering you this. They, however crude and indigested from my hurry, pruned and dressed by your judicious Pen before they are presented, and your being so obliging as to accompany Mr. O’Gormand to Lord Clare on the occasion; I cannot...
25To Benjamin Franklin from William Neate, 11 March 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <St. Mary Hill, March 11, 1772, a note in the third person. Hopes Franklin will accept a dozen “New Town Pippins.” > An old merchant friend of BF , with connections in Philadelphia; see above, IV , 115 n. St. Mary-at-Hill is a street in the Billingsgate Ward of London. In a letter to Mrs. Stevenson in the Hist. Soc. of Pa., Feb. 23, [1772?], Neate had...
26To Benjamin Franklin from John Alleyne, M[arch?] 17, 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am oblig’d to enquire in what Manner the People of Georgia usually transfer their Property in Lands, whether by the old mode of Conveyancing by Feoffment or by the modern Refinements of Lease and Release, Bargain and Sale &c. As I cannot obtain this Peace of Information from any of my young Friends at the Temple, I trouble You with this Epistle, and...
27To Benjamin Franklin from William Canton, 18 March 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <Wednesday evening, March 18, [1772 ], a note in the third person. His father, who is considerably worse than the previous Saturday, but because of laudanum in not quite so much pain, thanks Franklin for his kind inquiry.> The son and subsequently the biographer of BF ’s old friend; see the DNB under John Canton. Four days before John Canton’s death. BF...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Noble Wimberly Jones, 18 March 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Emboldened by the universal good Character of the bearer of this, Mr. William Stephens an Attorney at Law, a Native of the province (Grandson of a gentleman of the same name a former President of the Council here in the Trustees time) I make free to trouble you with this and to Introduce him to your kindness, which I trust your goodness and regard for every...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Ronayne, [27 March? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Ronayne, at the request of Mr. Henly, informs Doctor Franklin that Mr. Henly wishes to see the Paper he wrote, on the effects of Lightning on the Tabernacle, in order to render it more correct for publication. Addressed: Doctr. Franklin Henly wrote a paper, dated March 24, which was read before the Royal Society on April 9; at some time between those...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Michael Collinson, [March? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Collinson’s very respectful Comp[limen]ts to Dr. Franklin and begs the favor of him to lay by Mr. Colden’s Essay which Mr. C. will do himself the pleasure of calling for some Morning there are also two little Volumes The Adventures of a Round headed Indian which if Dr. Franklin can without any trouble lay his hand upon Mr. C will take with him at the...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 10 April 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am highly obliged by your Favours of the 13th and 14th Janry, with which I received the Gum, with the Amount of which please to charge my Father and I will pay him here, as it will be needless to keep open 2 Accounts when one will be sufficient. After I have made the Rubbers I will take the liberty to inform you of their Success. I am obliged by your...
32To Benjamin Franklin from John Michell, 13 April 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Tom’s C. H. April 13, 1772: Returns a book together with Winthrop’s letter, which he has ordered sent to Franklin. Is leaving town today and will not see him again until next winter unless, as Michell hopes, Franklin visits Yorkshire during the summer. If instead he leaves for America, wishes him a pleasant and prosperous voyage and happiness in his native...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Small, 13 April 1772 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Having soon dispatched all I could do in Jamaica, and having no Opportunity of returning soon to Britain from thence, I was tempted by a very ingenious Gentleman Mr. Shariff to accompany him hither. As he purposes being in England some time this Summer, I shall give him a Letter of introduction to you. As I gave you from Jamaica an Account of...
34To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Benezet, 27 April 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The writer of this letter has hitherto appeared only incidentally. Anthony Benezet (1713–84), philanthropist and author, was born in France and educated in England, and became a Quaker as a boy; soon afterward he moved to Philadelphia, where he was first a merchant and then a teacher. From the 1750’s until his death he labored to impress upon the world in...
35To Benjamin Franklin from a Committee of the Library Company of Philadelphia, 27 April 1772 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; minutebook copy: Library Company of Philadelphia By order of the Directors of the Library Co. of Philada. we have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your polite and friendly Letter of the 16th April 1771, and beg you to accept our Thanks for the good wishes therein expressed towards this institution as well as for the Services you have at many times...
36To Benjamin Franklin from William Henly, [April? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this day repeated in the most accurate manner I was able, my experiment with the Bladder gilded with leaf brass, and suspended on an arm of wood turning freely on a needles point. The following is the result of many trials. After giving the bladder a strong spark from the knob of a positively charged bottle; on presenting towards it a smooth round...
37To Benjamin Franklin from Dorothea Blunt, 1 May [1772?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Three of Dolly Blunt’s letters, of which this is the first, can be dated only by what may be considered extravagant guesswork; others cannot be dated at all, and will be published in a supplement at the end of BF ’s second British mission. His letters to her in this period, to which she occasionally refers, have all disappeared, and with them the clues they...
38To Benjamin Franklin from William Henly, [after 4 May 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter poses a problem of dating that we are unable to solve. The internal evidence is as ample as it is conflicting: some of it points to 1772 and some to 1773. The whole tone of the opening paragraph suggests that the Purfleet magazine had not yet been protected by lightning rods, and that Benjamin Wilson’s “scheme” for doing so was being actively...
39To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, [14?–]16 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society but be fore I can say aney thing I muste Stop to tell who I am writeing to I tell him to Grand papah so then he is gon so I am to tell you that this morning Capt. Loxley is arived but I have not had a letter as yit I have not a lowed my selef the libertey to make complaintes to you of aney Sorte but this has bin the moste malleycoley winter that I ever knew...
40To Benjamin Franklin from John Hawkesworth, [15 May? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Many, many Thanks, my dear Friend, for your obliging favour of the 8th. My Enquiry was on the behalf of a Friend who is very near and dear to me, to whom I have transcribed your Letter, and if she should be inclined to make the Experiment I will claim the kind offer which your humanity has made me. It will not bring you to Bromley, but I hope you will...
41To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 16 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A few Days since per Captain Sparks I did myself the Pleasure. I have not much to say at present, more than that we are all well. These are the best Tidings I can send you at this time, I find but slow Sale for my Goods, but what I do sell, is for Cash, so that I am making no bad Debts; I have not sold enough to enable me to reimburse you per this...
42A Committee of the Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital to Franklin, David Barclay, and John Fothergill, 16 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
Minutebook copy: Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia The Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital have been expecting to hear from you by every Vessel that has arrived at this place from London within many months past, but being disappointed of that pleasure, are apprehensive some Obstacle has occasioned a delay of your receiving from the Bank, the Monies arising from the unclaimed shares of the...
43To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Foxcroft, 16 May 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Philadelphia, May 16, 1772: Encloses the bill of lading and other papers for two barrels of “the best Burr Superfine flour.” Expects his brother back from Virginia within a few days. Has seen Mrs. Franklin yesterday; she and the family are well. His “Sister” joins in regards. Broke his arm six days ago, but hopes it will mend in three weeks.> Promised by...
44To Benjamin Franklin from William Smith, 16 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was favoured with your obliging Letter, acknowleging the Receipt of sundry Copies of our Transactions for some learned Societies and Gentlemen in England, and informing us that you had delivered the Books accordingly. I was then preparing to embark for Carolina, where I was lucky enough to get One Thousand Guineas for our College, which is at present in...
45To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 21 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Perceeiving you were not quite Sattisfied with the Account I gave you of the Clock I made for you, I have now made another with a round Dial. The hour hand of which performs one revolution in 24 hours. Concentric to that, is a hand to Shew the time of high and low water, the hours of flood and ebb. Under the foot of the hour 12, is wrote highwater, at 6 Low...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Dorothea Blunt, 23 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Tho you had never done anything with a design to give me pleasure I shou’d love you for that constant disposition everyone that knows you know you feel to give pleasure to all your fellow creatures. But you have My honour’d friend often given it to me in the very Manner and thing adapted to gratify, and make truly thankful for it. The Piano Forte I ask’d...
47To Benjamin Franklin from Dorothea Blunt, [24 May 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I promis’d you to meet your agreable friend on Tuesday in Craven Street, and myself the pleasure of seeing both you and that Lady, but an express arriv’d this day from Odiham with the disagreable news of My Brother Walters little James being ill of a sore throat and fever. My Brother set out to go to him before I cou’d conquer some scruples that held my...
48To Benjamin Franklin from a Committee of the Library Company of Philadelphia, 28 May 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; minutebook copy: Library Company of Philadelphia <Philadelphia, May 28, 1772: They enclose a draft on John Whitmore for £125 from Stocker & Wharton & John Wilcocks at thirty days’ sight, dated May 26 in favor of and endorsed by Josiah Hewes, to pay for the books ordered through Sparks for the Library Company. If the amount is insufficient, they will...
49To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 29 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have but just Time to acknowledge the Receipt of yours per my Brother, whose Arival we had been long wishing for, but our pleasure was greatly damped by seeing him in such a state of Health; he has not been out since he first entered the House, and is at present very low, we are all fearfull he is consuming fast. I received per him only three 2d Volumes...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Rhoads, 30 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Loxly going early in the Morning to Morrow for London, gives me the Opertunity of Acknowledging thy Favour per Falconer, which with several Canal Papers and Pamphlets came safe to Hand, and I hope will be usefull as I find the Reports of the great Engineers, Smeaton Brindly &ct concerning the Scotch Canal, contain a great deal of Instruction to us...