241To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 15 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been confin’d to my House great Part of this Winter by my valetudinary State, and been little able to see and converse with my Friends, and less to write to them. A Line from you would have greatly refresh’d me in this Confinement, as your Letters have ever been one of the greatest Entertainments of my Life: but I do not mean to complain, having been...
242To Benjamin Franklin from John Winthrop, 4 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I received your favor of Septr. 18. I return you many thanks for Dr. Priestly’s Piece on impregnating water with fix’d air. If this should prove an effectual remedy for the sea-scurvy, it would be indeed a most important discovery. I am extremely concerned to hear, that Dr. Priestly is so meanly provided for, while so many [ blank ] are rolling about here in...
243To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 24 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’impression avança bien la semaine derniere, j’eus châque jour une feuille nouvelle (a corriger les epreuves). Le carnaval est cause que cette semaine cy ne m’a encore rien produit, mais j’espere que cela va reprendre le même train sans interruption. Je vous envoyai, il y a aujourd’huy 8 jours sous une simple envelope deux feuilles sortantes de la presse....
244To Benjamin Franklin from Horace-Benedict de Saussure, 23 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu avec un extrême plaisir les deux lettres que vous m’avés fait l’honneur de m’écrire, l’une du 8e. Octobre, l’autre du 1er. Xbre de l’année dernière. Mais comme elles m’étoient l’une et l’autre adressées à Genève, et que j’en suis parti dès le commencement d’Octobre pour venir passer l’hyver en Italie, elles me sont parvenues extrêmement tard, et...
245To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Potts, 15 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am very sorry as you have had the trouble of writing your Letters to acquaint you that we have no North American Boat on this side, consequently your Letters could not be forwarded as no mail was made up last Saturday night for New York. This Office does not supply the Post Boys with Horns, they are purchased by themselves, but I beleive the best place to...
246To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 15 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you Decr. 27 by Capt: Jenkins, and Inform’d you of a proposal made by Hall or rather Halls Friends, Who have advanced the Hundred pounds Sterling, and I have Received it, on this Condition, to Wait for the Remander Six and twelvemonths, to be paid in two equal payments from the above Date. I Wish I had your Orders in regard to the Disposition of the...
247To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 12 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), II , 246–57. J’ai trouvé votre Lettre à M. Néave beaucoup trop courte, parce que les choses excellentes qu’elle contient, m’ont appris à en desirer beaucoup d’autres dont je n’aurois peut-être jamais eu la moindre idée. On ne m’a point fait apprendre à nager dans ma jeunesse, et je n’y ai gueres songé...
248To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Parker Bedford, 2 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society At my Mamas perticular request I take the liberty of writing to you, whom once I could address without ceremony, but the unhappy Difference between our families render that perhaps now more necessary, which would formerly have been looked upon as an Act of Duty. You my Dear Sir, I was ever taught to look upon as the Friend, the Benefactor of one of the best...
249To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, [January? 1773] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), II , 226–7. Ayant fait voir ces jours-ci les premieres épreuves de vos feuilles sur la Musique à MM. G——, amateurs éclairés de tous les beaux arts, je crois devoir vous communiquer le résultat de ma conversation avec eux. On ne doute point que ces airs Ecossois, que vous exaltez tant, ne soient excellens...
250To Benjamin Franklin from William Brownrigg, 27 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: the Royal Society By the enclosed from an old friend, a worthy clergyman at Carlisle, whose great learning and extensive knowledge in most sciences would have more distinguished him had he been placed in a more conspicuous point of view, You will find that he had heard of your experiment on Derwent Lake, and has thrown together what he could collect on that subject; to which I have...
251To Benjamin Franklin from François Rozier, 24 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
Printed circular letter with handwritten postscript: American Philosophical Society The letter below is an interesting example of scientific communication in the period. The editor of a scientific journal in Paris was inviting each of many learned societies in Europe to send him a periodic report of its current activities, which he would then broadcast within three months via his journal....
252To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac L. Winn, 22 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
MS : the Royal Society Capt. Winn presents Respects to Dr. Franklin and sends Two Barrels of Apples from Mr. Theo. Bache and begs leave to add one to them. In August last Capt. Winn took the Liberty of sending Dr. Franklin some Observations on the Aurora Borealis, to which he would add that on Saturday Evening the 16 Instt., as Capt. Winn came to Town the Aurora was so bright that he found a...
253The Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital to Franklin, David Barclay, and John Fothergill, 18 January 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Minutebook copy: Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia <January 18, 1773: A copy of their previous letter is enclosed. They have now drawn further on Franklin, Barclay, and Fothergill for £1,250 sterling in three bills of exchange, one in favor of Joseph Mitchell for £600 and two in favor of Joseph King for £300 and £350 respectively.> Presumably that of Jan. 4 above. For the little we know...
254To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, [13 January 1773?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (badly mutilated): American Philosophical Society Je n’ai encore reçu ni votre paq[uet ni votre lettre?] du 8e. Je vous prie de me marquer [ torn ] ferez l’honneur de m’ecrire par la [ torn ] vous etiez servi pour les deux [ torn ] voyageans, je pourrois pour peu que [ torn ] decouvrir icy dans les hôtels garnis ou [ torn ] et si ce sont des françois domiciliés a Paris cela seroit encore...
255To Benjamin Franklin from Noble Wimberly Jones, 13 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am realy ashamed at my remissness in neglect of Writing after your repeated favours, And this now can only serve as an Appology the Captn: being ready to go down. Your much esteemed of the 5th. May containing the curious Seed from India I received safe, also yours of the 3d. of August and a few days since that of the 7th. of October, which repeated marks...
256To Benjamin Franklin from Jane (Jenny) Mecom, 9 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Heart has ever been susceptible of the warmest greatitude for your frequent Benefactions to the whole of our Family, but your last KIND , unexpected as well as undiserved, NOBLE presant in particular to me, calls for a particular acknoledgement from me. Except then dearest Sir, my most Sinceare and hearty thanks, with a promise, that your kindness Shall...
257To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Colden, 7 January 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <General Post Office, January 7, 1773: Has received Franklin’s letter of October 7 acknowledging receipt of several bills, and of Nov. 3 enclosing Mackie’s bill on Molleson for £294 5 s. 2 d. with the protest, which Colden will transmit to him. Encloses the second bill for £150 sterling by John Hancock on Haley & Hopkins in favor of Tuthill Hubbart; the...
258To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 5 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am favoured with your Letters by the October and November Packets, and want much for an Opportunity of writing to you safely on several Subjects, but I cannot venture to do it by the Packet, as your Letter by the October Packet came opened to me exactly in the same Manner that mine did to you. And Mr. Todd I hear has wrote to Mr. Foxcroft that his Letters...
259To Benjamin Franklin from the Trustees of the Burlington Free School, 5 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society To a person of Doctor Franklins well known character, for humanity and benevolence, we think it scarcely necessary to enter into an apology for the freedom we have taken in enclosing the within Petition to the King, in presenting which we request thy friendly assistance. Notwithstanding the application made by Lord Rochford for a Grant of the Islands in...
260The Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital to Franklin, David Barclay, and John Fothergill, 4 January 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Minutebook copy: Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia <January 4, 1773: In accordance with the letter of Jan. 1 from their committee, they have drawn on the recipients for £700 sterling in four bills of exchange in favor of John Clark, three for £200 each and one for £100. > The Board was continuing its earlier policy of investing in mortgages; Clark had obtained one for £1,137 10 s. ,...
261To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 4 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By the October Packet, I am favored by yours of 7. that Month, am obliged to you for the pleasing Intelligence, that my Mother and Sisters were well, for it is some time since I heard from them. I am glad to hear, that the Bill I sent you was duly honored. I had really forgot the five Guineas you lent me, on the Morning I left you, or should have included...
262To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas O’Gorman, 4 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg pardon for having been hitherto defficient in acquiting myself of my duty towards you and in returning you thanks for the many Civilities I have received from you While in London. Receive, I beseech you, tho late, my sincere acknowledgement thereon and be assur’d I shall for ever with pleasure embrace every opportunity of Shewing you the defference I...
263A Committee of the Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital to Franklin, David Barclay, and John Fothergill, 1 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
Minutebook copy: Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia We are now deputed by a Board of Managers of this Hospital to inform you, That it is agreed to draw on you for the further Sum of Four thousand pounds Sterling as Opportunities offer to dispose of our drafts, and to put out the money on Interest on good and Sufficient Securities, which from our present prospect we expect will be Effected in...
264To 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...
265To Benjamin Franklin from William Henly, [1772?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I think myself exceedingly obliged to you for your intended favour of a Visit some Evening, but hope you will so far oblige me as to give me previous notice by a Line, when I shall with a high pleasure accommodate my time to your convenience. I am with the utmost Respect Sir your obedient and Humble Servant Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin This was the year...
266To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Maseres, [1772] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr: Maseres presents his compliments to Dr: Franklyn and sends him two more copies of the collection of Quebec instruments and the draught of a toleration-act; of which he desires the doctor to transmit one set to his son, Governour Franklyn of New Jersey, and the other to Mr: Galloway, of Philadelphia, the speaker of the house of Assembly, with Mr: Maseres...
267To Benjamin Franklin from [Johann David Michaelis?], [1772?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society <1772? In Latin with no date, salutation, or signature. Has decided, because of Franklin’s “most noble occupations” and involvement in public affairs, to consult him as little as possible. Wishes first to thank him for favoring the Society by taking with him twelve copies of its revived work; has arranged to have the volumes bound and sent to Hamburg at the...
268To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, [1772?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library <Monday evening, [1772? ], a note in the third person and in the Bishop’s hand. He and his family will call upon him with Lord and Lady Spencer tomorrow evening between seven and eight.> Our guess about the year is based on the slender clue of squirrels. DF had sent some as pets; they arrived in January, and by August were great favorites in the Shipley...
269To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg: Dedicatory Epistle, [late 1772] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in [Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg,] Petit code de la raison humaine; ou Exposition succincte de ce que la raison dicte à tous les hommes, pour éclairer leur conduite, et assurer leur bonheur ( London, 1773 ) , pp. [ v– ] vi . Vous reconnutes dans la premiere esquisse de ce Petit Code, l’effusion simple et naïve de votre propre coeur; j’ai achevé de le developer autant que je l’ai pu, et...
270To Benjamin Franklin from William Henly, [30 December 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send you herewith the paper of your experiments, and shall think myself under great obligation for the addition. I am quite at a loss what to think or say about the Bell. The effects are so contrary to the notions I [had] entertained of Electricity; and yet I scarse know how to disbelieve my Friends relation, for though by his Letter he appears to be no...