1From Benjamin Franklin to William Alexander, 22 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society I am much oblig’d by the Confidence you place in me by communicating your Plan, & by your kind Intentions in it of serving America. Please to accept my thankful Acknowledgements, and excuse my declining to engage in the Scheme, for Reasons that I will some time or other give you. If you think fit to propose it to this Court, I would advise your...
2From Benjamin Franklin to William Alexander, 15 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I thank you for informing me of your intended Journey. You know so well the prevailing Sentiments here, and mine in particular, that it is unnecessary for me to express them; and having never been believ’d on that side the Water, it would be useless. I will say, however, that I think the Language you mention, very proper to be held, as it is the Truth; tho’ the...
3From Benjamin Franklin to [William Alexander], 12 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress This letter is interesting both for its sidelight on past history, the Stamp Act, and because it was the prelude to one more British effort to negotiate through Franklin. He is commenting on a passage in a pamphlet, which Alexander had passed on to him, by William Johnstone Pulteney. The author, a wealthy member of Parliament and Alexander’s correspondent and business...
4From Benjamin Franklin to William Alexander, 27 March 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I received your obliging Letter some Days since at Philada. but our Departure from thence being uncertain, I could not till now acquaint your Ldp. when we expected to be at New-York. We move but slowly, and think we shall scarce reach farther than Newark to-morrow, so that we cannot have the Pleasure of seeing you before Friday. Being myself from long Absence...
5From Benjamin Franklin to William Alexander, 3 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress On my Return to Town I found your Favour, with the Schemes of your Lottery, to which I wish Success, and besides ordering some Tickets for my self, I have spoken well of it on every Occasion; but I find little Inclination among my Acquaintance to engage in Lotteries at such a Distance, and one cannot be very open in promoting them, it being contrary...