291From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 16 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I thank you most cordially for your kind Congratulations on my Arrival, which I have the more Pleasure in, as among my other Friends, I find you and yours alive and well: I rejoice with you likewise in the safe Return of your two valuable Sons, to whom, on Account of their own Merit as well as the Obligations I am under to you, I wish it had been in my Power to...
292From Benjamin Franklin to John Bartram, [7?] October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Haverford College Library; letterbook draft: American Philosophical Society I received sometime since the enclosed Letter from Dr. Hope, and lately the Gold Medal it mentions was delivered to me for you. By the first Ship directly to Philadelphia I shall send it in the Care of some safe Hand, thinking it not so well to hazard it with this Letter round through New York. Mr. Hope’s Letter...
293From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Loudoun, 21 May 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Huntington Library Having determined not to go in the first Pacquet, I retired hither about two Weeks ago, to have Leisure for Settling some private Affairs before the Sailing of the second; which is the Reason I have not for some time been to pay my Respects to your Lordship. In your present Multiplicity of important Business, I would not be too importunate. But if your Lordship should...
294From Benjamin Franklin to Elizabeth Hubbart, 5 March 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Excuse my not writing to your good Mama and my other Friends. I am excessively hurried, and not very well. I shall send a Commission to Cousin Tuthill. I am going shortly to Virginia if nothing hinders, and could be glad to have the State of the Office Accounts and the Ballance, that I may settle it with Mr. Hunter. Pray desire him to put Huske’s Bond in...
295From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwalader Evans, 22 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I hope you received the Elastic Truss, and that it answered and gave Satisfaction. It gives me great Pleasure to understand by yours of Apr. 30 that the Assemblies have shown a Disposition to encourage the Produce of Silk. You can never overdo the Market here, and will soon be able to manufacture what you want for yourselves. Mr. Small...
296From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 2 February 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Museum This Line is just to acquaint you that I am well, and that my Office of Deputy-Postmaster is taken from me. As there is no Prospect of your being ever promoted to a better Government, and That you hold has never defray’d its Expences, I wish you were well settled in your Farm. ’Tis an honester and a more honourable because a more independent Employment. You will hear from...
297From Benjamin Franklin to [Anthony Todd], 15 June 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am just going out of Town for a Week, but shall endeavour to return in time for the great Pleasure you so kindly propose to me of meeting chez vous , that excellent good Man Baron Behr. In the mean while, pray advise your Neighbour Mr. Jackson, if he should be at any Loss about it, how to get soon ashore two Barrels of Flour (one of which is for your...
298From Benjamin Franklin to Lachlin MacLeane, [November 1767] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society Sir Wm. Johnson’s Letter of May 30, 1767 of which you have been so kind as to communicate an Extract to me, has no Relation to the propos’d Boundary Line between the English Colonies and the Indian Country. It is merely a Line of Division between the two Colonies of Pensilvania and Maryland, now running by Agreement of the two Proprietaries, and as it is to...
299From Benjamin Franklin to Humphry Marshall, 9 July 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mr. S. Hallock du Pont (1955) I received your obliging Favour of April 13. with Specimens of the several Colours suitable for Painting which you have found in different Parts of our Country. It gives me great Pleasure to see them, and I have shown them to many Persons of Distinction, together with your Letter, which is allow’d to contain a great many sensible and shrewd Observations....
300From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 14 May 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I find Parker has been indiscreet enough, to print a Piece in his Paper, which has brought him into a great deal of Trouble. I cannot conceive how he was prevail’d on to do it, as I know him to be a thorough Believer himself, and averse to every thing that is commonly called Freethinking. He is now much in his Penitentials, and requests me to intercede with...