To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Osborne, November 1764
From Thomas Osborne5
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Grays Inn, Novr. 1764
Mr. Osbornes Complyments to Dr. Franklyn and has taken the Liberty of sending him the 15th Vol. of Modern History,6 with some of his Catalogues which Mr. O. does not doubt but the Dr. will order to be distributed to the best Advantage, and it wou’d give him infinite pleasure if that intricate Account with the Gentleman who had the Disposal of the books was Settled.7
Addressed: To / Dr Benjn. Franklyn / Speaker of the Assembly / in / Pensylvania
5. For Thomas Osborne, the foremost London bookseller of his day, see above, VII, 176 n.
6. For the complicated bibliography of this series, see above, III, 146 n. The fifteenth volume was advertised as “This Day” published in London Chron., Sept. 29–Oct. 2, 1764.
7. A reference to Isaac Norris, who in 1761 wrote of the “very great Task” of settling his account with the bookseller; see above, IX, 336–7. Since Osborne sent this letter to Philadelphia, DF probably received it, and she may have passed on to Norris this reminder; but in writing BF, May 18, 1765, Norris made no mention of the Osborne account; APS.