1From 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....
2From 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,...
3From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 5 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society [I have rec]eived yours of Mar. 2, with the Bill in[closed] [ torn ] on the Society for £25 Sterling, which is [entered to your?] Credit. I have paid for you lately a [bill in the amount of?] £4 10 s. 6 d. to one Main’s a Shoemaker, [ torn ] by Order of Mrs. Clarke. And on [ torn ] several Sums of which I cannot [now recollect the full?]...
4From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 17 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 171. At length we have got rid of Lord Hillsborough, and Lord Dartmouth takes his place, to the great satisfaction of all the friends of America. You will hear it said among you (I suppose) that the interest of the Ohio planters has ousted him, but the...
5From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 19 August 1772: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Library of Congress In yours of May 14th, you acquaint me with your indisposition, which gave me great concern. The resolution you have taken to use more exercise is extremely proper, and I hope you will steadily perform it. It is of the greatest importance to prevent diseases; since the cure of them by physic is so very precarious. In considering the different kinds of exercise, I...
6From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 19–22 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18) II , 171–3. I received yours of June 30. I am vexed that my letter to you, written at Glasgow, miscarried; not so much that you did not receive it, as that it is probably in other hands. It contained some accounts of what passed in Ireland, which were for you...
7From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 7 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received yours of Sept. 1. with one enclos’d for Mrs. Clarke, which I immediately forwarded to Bristol; but she call’d on me two Days after to enquire how you did. She returns into Oxfordshire for the present, and after some time to Bristol again. I am glad you have satisfied Hayne that he went on a Fools Errand. There is no convincing those People...
8From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 3–4 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I wrote to you per the October Packet, and have not since had any Line from you. I spent 16 Days at Lord Le Despencer’s most agreably, and return’d in good Health and Spirits. Lord Dartmouth came to town last Week, and had his first Levee on Wednesday, at which I attended. He receiv’d me very politely in his Room, only Secy. Pownal present;...
9From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 2 December 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I have received yours of Oct. 4. 8. and 13. I cannot imagine what became of my Letter of Augt. 3. from May Place. It was however of no great Importance. Mr. Denormandie is gone this Day to Geneva. I gave him a Letter of Recommendation to a Friend there. I am persuaded that your Packets were not open’d at the Office; for tho’ a Secretary of State has...