2351To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 23 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Altho’ I wrote you 21: Current yet I am to ask your Pardon for the Trouble of this which is to pray you to forward by the first Opportunity to my Son at Halifax my Letter now lying in your hands together with the inclosed which will oblige, Sir, Your ready Friend and Servant. See above, p. 110. The one referred to in Belcher’s letter, July 9...
2352Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 28 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives, 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 117. Col. Thomas Dunbar, commander of Braddock’s army after the defeat on the Monongahela, decided to withdraw his demoralized troops instead of making a new attack from Fort Cumberland, and on July 16 informed Governor Morris that he planned to bring two regiments into winter quarters at...
2353From Benjamin Franklin to Daniel Fisher, 28 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , XVII (1893), 275–6. Till our new building is finished, which I hope will be in two or three weeks, I have no room to accommodate a clerk. But it is my intention to have one, though my business is so small that I cannot afford to give more than I have always given, Viz.: Diet at my own Table, with Lodging and...
2354Alexander Colden to James Parker, 28 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Archives By the Phi: Post received the Inclosed from Mr. Franklin which he desired me to forward to you and to desire you to forward it imediately by this post to Mr. Chew requesting him to forward it to Mr. Franklin at Boston. He writes “the Substance of the letter may be printed but not entire as we have not the Governors leave to whom it was directed. At least the...
2355A Parable against Persecution, [July 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Miss Ailsa Joan Mary Dick-Cunyngham, Prestonfield House, Edinburgh (1955) Written in the style of the King James Version of the Bible, the Parable against Persecution was one of Franklin’s pleasantest hoaxes, affording him and his friends much amusement. He wrote it at least as early as the summer of 1755 and took copies of it and other ephemeral pieces to England when he went over two...
2356A Parable on Brotherly Love, [July 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society; also copy: Liverpool Record Office In a letter to Benjamin Vaughan, Nov. 2, 1789, Franklin discussed his “Chapter of Abraham and the Stranger” (see immediately above) and then went on to say: “When I wrote that in the form you now have it, I wrote also another, the hint of which was also taken from an ancient Jewish tradition; but, not having the same...
2357From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, [c. 1 August 1755] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The House is not yet together: But the Speaker and a Number of the Members are of Opinion that a Common Messenger will be sufficient to carry the Letters; and are not inclin’d that any Gentlemen should be charg’d with them in Behalf of the Publick. They hope the Colonel does not mean to come to Philadelphia but only into this Province, to be near the...
2358Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 5 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 121. Meeting on July 25 after receiving news of Braddock’s defeat, the Assembly resolved that £50,000 be granted for defense of the province and that a committee of the whole consider ways and means of raising it. Following adoption on the 29th of resolves to tax “all Estates, Real and...
2359Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 8 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), pp. 123–6. Governor Morris responded on August 6 to the Assembly’s message of the day before, and the Assembly appointed a committee of eight, including Franklin and four other members of the last committee, to prepare a reply. It was reported and approved the next day and sent to the governor on...
2360From Benjamin Franklin to William Johnson, 11 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Antiquarian Society I received your Favour of the 1st Instant, and have forwarded the Letter to Capt. Orme. Mr. Pownall is gone to New York, and I return his Letter per this Day’s Post. I shall acquaint the Governor, as you desire, that the Records of your Proceedings are with Mr. Banyar. Our Assembly have sent up a Bill to give £50,000 to the King’s Use, of which part might be...
2361Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 19 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755, pp. 144–52. The Assembly’s long message of August 8 to Governor Morris had been the first heavy salvo in the battle over taxation of the proprietary estates. Words, however, could scarcely effect the settlement of the issue, since the governor insisted he was enjoined from approving such bills by the terms of his...
2362Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 20 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 153. We have considered the Governor’s Message of the 16th Instant, with the Extract from Governor Lawrence’s Letter to Governor Phips, in which it is observed, “That if the excellent Laws prohibiting the Transportation of Provisions to Louisburg continue in Force for two Months longer, there...
2363Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 22 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), pp. 155–6. On August 16, while the Assembly was considering the long message to the governor which they sent three days later, Morris informed the House that, since the treasury was exhausted, he would “readily pass a Bill for striking any Sum in Paper-Money the present Exigency may require;...
2364From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 25 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 356–9. As you have my former papers on Whirlwinds, &c. I now send you an account of one which I had lately an opportunity of seeing and examining myself. Being in Maryland, riding with Col. Tasker, and some other gentlemen to his country-seat, where I and my son were entertained by...
2365From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 27 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I received your Favours of May 28 and June 1. I believe I have already wrote you, that our Friend Smith is not thought here to be the Author of the Pamphlet you mention: ’Tis generally suppos’d to be the Governor’s (with some help from one or two others) as his Messages are fill’d with the same Sentiments and almost the same Expressions. He is, I think, the...
2366From Benjamin Franklin to Jared Eliot, 31 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have been employ’d almost all this Summer in the Service of our unfortunate Army, and other publick Affairs, that have brought me greatly in Arrear with my Correspondents. I have lost the Pleasure of conversing with them, and I have lost my Labour: I wish these were the only Losses of the Year: But we have lost a Number of brave Men, and all our Credit with the...
2367From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 1 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library I beg Leave to introduce to you the Revd. Mr. Allison Rector of our Academy; a Person of great Ingenuity and Learning, a catholic Divine, and what is more, an Honest Man; For as Pope says By Entertaining then this Gent. with your accustomed Hospitality and Benevolence, you will Entertain one of the Nobility. I mean one of Gods Nobility; for as to the Kings , there...
2368From Benjamin Franklin to Jared Eliot, 1 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I wrote to you yesterday, and now I write again. You will say, It can’t rain, but it pours: For I not only send you manuscript but living Letters. The first may be short, but the latter will be longer and yet more agreable. Mr. Bartram I believe you will find to be at least 20 folio Pages, large Paper, well fill’d, on the Subjects of Botany, Fossils, Husbandry,...
2369From Benjamin Franklin to Ezra Stiles, 1 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library At the same time I acknowledge the Receipt of your Favours of March 12th from New Haven, and May 20th. from Newport, I must beg your Pardon for not answering them sooner. Mr. Allison will tell you how my Time has been devoured this Summer, and how impracticable it has been for me to keep up my philosophical Correspondencies. I have not yet made the Experiment I...
2370Introduction to John Pringle’s Account of Gaol Fever, 4 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , September 4, 1755. This introduction preceded a reprinting of John Pringle’s “Account of several Persons seized with the Goal Fever, working in Newgate; and of the Manner, in which the Infection was communicated to one entire Family,” from Phil. Trans ., XLVIII , pt. I (1753), 42–55. Because of BF ’s interest in the subject as it related to German...
2371From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Hancock, 11 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Harvard College Library You may remember that when I last had the Pleasure of seeing you, I mention’d the Inconvenience attending the Want of a Fund to increase and improve your College Library. I imagined that a Subscription set on foot for that purpose might with proper Management produce something considerable. I know you are a Friend to the College, and therefore take the Freedom of...
2372From Benjamin Franklin to Catharine Ray, 11 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and enclosed translation: American Philosophical Society Begone, Business, for an Hour, at least, and let me chat a little with my Katy. I have now before me, my dear Girl, three of your Favours, viz. of March the 3d. March the 30th. and May the 1st. The first I receiv’d just before I set out on a long Journey and the others while I was on that Journey, which held me near Six Weeks. Since...
2373To Benjamin Franklin from William Shipley, 13 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I believe that you will be supprised to hear from one who am an entire Stranger and living at so great a distance; but as I have often heard so great a Character of your Ingenuity and extensive Publick-Spirited Benevolence I shall mention no more by way of Apology for troubling you on this occasion, than that your Plan for promoting of Useful knowledge...
2374To Benjamin Franklin from William Shirley, 17 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society; also copy: Library Company of Philadelphia I have just receiv’d your two favours of the 1st. and 4th. of September; in Answer to the former I inclose you a Copy of a Paragraph in my Letter to Colonel Dunbar upon that Subject. As to the Affair of the Waggons and Horses which you engag’d for the Use of the late General Braddock’s Army, I think it of the...
2375From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Pownall, [before 20 September 1755] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract reprinted from New York Colonial Documents , VI , 1008–9. Conraed Weiser informs me that the Six Nations have actually sent a Message to the Indians in their Alliance at Aukwick and the Ohio, to sharpen their arrows and prepare for war, for they are now determined to drive the French from Ohio, and do all in their power to assist the English. In a letter from Pownall to...
2376To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 22 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received your very kind and acceptable Favour by Mr. Allison, with the MSS . accompanying it, for which you have my Thanks. When have perused shall return the MSS . With my Thanks I now return Dr. Knights most ingenious Treatise on Magnetism . I have this Commencement resigned my Imployment in the College: shall this Week set out for Newport, where expect to...
2377Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 29 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), pp. 169–76. The final session of the 1754–55 Assembly, September 15–30, was utterly fruitless. Governor Morris made plain his contempt by delaying his attention to the most trifling matters and by withholding his principal message for nine days. In turn the Assembly sent him a series of nagging...
2378William Smith to Thomas Penn, [September? 1755] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania In June 1755 Franklin had written that he “liked neither the Governor’s Conduct, nor the Assembly’s; and having some Share in the Confidence of both, I have endeavour’d to reconcile ’em but in vain,” and that “Our Friend [William] Smith will be very serviceable here.” By November, however, Franklin thought Governor Morris “half a Madman” and a year...
2379William Plumsted to the Overseers of the Poor, 4 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , XXXV (1911), 251. There is several wife’s and widdows I understand in town whose husbands are wounded and killed in the late defeat, they are destitute of all necessarys and many unable to support themselves and children. I want to speak with some of you on this subject for which I ordered the bearer to acquaint you...
2380To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [5 October 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Transcript of fragment: Rosenbach Foundation Speaker Isaac Norris entered a long note on an interleaved sheet in a copy of Poor Richard improved , 1755, following the calendar for December. He first copied an advertisement from the Antigua Gazette or Public Advertiser , Aug. 12, 1755, in which George Thomas, former governor of Pennsylvania and now governor of the Leeward Islands, defended...
2381From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Jackson, 7 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your Favour of the 17th June per Mr. Winslow, with a Paper inclos’d, that has given me very great Pleasure. I thank you for it sincerely, which is all I can now do, being just setting out on a Journey to Virginia. I fear I cannot at present be impartial enough to give you a just State of our Provincial Disputes. I am perhaps too much engag’d in...
2382From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Partridge, [7 October 1755] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; I : extracts reprinted from Connecticut Historical Society Collections , XVII (1918), 183; II : extract: American Philosophical Society. On October 25 Franklin wrote Richard Partridge, London agent for the Pennsylvania Assembly and for other colonies, saying in the opening sentence that he was enclosing a copy of an earlier letter sent by Captain Joy (see below, p. 230). Neither...
2383From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 7 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Scheide Library, Princeton, N.J.; duplicate: University of Toronto Library Mr. Hall has wrote to you for a Fount of English, and a Fount with a Longprimer Face on a smaller Body for the Gazette, on my Account. Inclosed is a Bill for £109 8 s . 4 d . Sterling, drawn on the Revd. Mr. Saml. Chandler, which I doubt not will be readily paid. I know not well how my Account stands with you,...
2384To Benjamin Franklin from John Read: Power of Attorney, 8 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed form, with MS insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society Know all Men by these Presents, That I John Read of the County of York in Pensilvania, one of the Waggon Masters in the late Expedition under General Braddock Have constituted, made and appointed, and by these Presents do constitute, make and appoint, my trusty and loving Friend Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia...
2385From Benjamin Franklin to [Elizabeth Hubbart?], [16 October? 1755] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (fragment): American Philosophical Society [ Missing ] Altar, to be an Anvill; the two Hearts, Yours and Katy’s. And when they are welded together and made one, let that same Cupid fly with it to Your very affectionate PS Mrs. Franklin happens to see this Letter before I close it, and tells me I have not rightly interpreted the Seal. She agrees that the two Hearts on the Altar represent...
2386From Benjamin Franklin to John Hunter, [16 October 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I could not avoid meeting the Assembly, who are now Sitting, but must rise in two or three Days, when I purposed to proceed for Virginia; But your Letter to Mr. Nelson mentioning your Intention of being here in ten Days, and being very desirous of seeing you in order to settle our Money Account and concert Measures relating to a farther Supply of Cash to...
2387From Benjamin Franklin to William Johnston, 16 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I have settled Col. Hunter’s Account and find a Ballance in my Hands of £835 0 s . 3½ d . Pensilvania Currency, which shall be paid to your Orders, if you find it necessary to draw on me. I enclose you a Copy of a Letter I have just received from General Shirley, with a Copy of his Warrant to you for the Payment of such Sums to me as the Waggon Affair may...
2388From Benjamin Franklin to Catharine Ray, 16 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Favour of the 28th of June came to hand but the 28th of September, just 3 Months after it was written. I had, two Weeks before, wrote you a long Chat, and sent it to the Care of your Brother Ward. I hear you are now in Boston, gay and lovely as usual. Let me give you some fatherly Advice. Kill no more Pigeons than you can eat. Be a good Girl, and don’t...
2389From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 16 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sent you last Week per Capt. Dole 92 Reams of Demi Printing Paper, best, in two Cases, and 98 Ream of brown; which I hope will come safe to hand, and to a good Market. The Printing Paper to be sold at 15 s . and the Brown at 6 s . this Currency, the lowest. My Love to your Wife and Children. I am Your loving Uncle [ Crossed out: ] P.S. I shall order...
2390From Benjamin Franklin to John Shirley, 23 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your Favour of the 1st Instant, with the Discharges for Ewins and Rieger. I shall take Care to observe your Directions relating to them. Please to accept my hearty Thanks for the Favour shown them. And if in any Thing I can serve you here, you will, by commanding freely, oblige yet farther, Dear Sir, Your most obedient Servant John Shirley (d....
2391From Benjamin Franklin to William Shirley, 23 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I beg Leave to return your Excellency my sincerest and most hearty Thanks for your Letter of the 17th of September, with the Orders for Payment of the Waggon-Owners, and an Extract of your Orders to Col. Dunbar; forbidding the Enlistment of Servants and Apprentices. Acts of Justice so readily done, become great Favours, which I hope will be ever gratefully...
2392From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 25 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society The above is a Copy of my last. I hope you have receiv’d a Bill for £75 Sterling. I sent you the 1st per in mine of the 27th of August last, when I wrote for one of Mr. Smeaton’s New Air Pumps for the Academy. I now send another Bill for £30 Sterling on the same Account together with a List of some Philosophical Implements that will be wanted towards our...
2393From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Partridge, 25 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Draft and extract: American Philosophical Society The above is a Copy of mine per Capt. Joy. Since which the new Assembly met, and chose you and Mr. Charles their Agents for the ensuing Year. The Governor offer’d nothing to the House: but they hearing occasionally that he had received some Letters of Importance relating to Indian Affairs, sent a particular Message to enquire if he had any...
2394From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 25 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Toronto Library The above is a Copy of my last. Enclosed is the second Bill. I am, Dear Sir, Your most obedient Servant See above, p. 219.
2395To Benjamin Franklin from John Harris, 31 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library Company of Philadelphia I inclose you the Deposition of a Person the Contents you please to observe. I have not yet moved my Family, not caring to discourage others. We Expect the Enemy every hour. I have cut holes thro’ my house and kept some Men to defend the same as I had information at Shawmokin that about 40 Indians were out many days from Fort Du Quesne to destroy my House...
2396From Benjamin Franklin to James Read, 2 November 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Morris Duane, Philadelphia, on deposit in Historical Society of Pennsylvania (1957) I receiv’d your Letter per Mr. Tea, and one just now per Express. I am glad to hear the Arms are well got up: They are the best that we could procure, I wish they were better. But they are well fortified, will bear a good Charge, and I should imagine they may do good Service with Swan or Buck Shot, if not...
2397From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, [5 November 1755] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; photostat of ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Bearers tell me that you have promis’d to furnish them with what Arms and Ammunition they have Occasion for, provided the Assembly will engage to pay for them. If the Governor judges it for the Publick Service to spare some of the few Arms at present to be got, to a Township so far within the Settlements, (as it may be, if...
2398To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Peters, 5 November 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Three of the Inhabitants of Laycock Township brought me your Letter of this morning and in answer The Governor orders me to tell you that whenever Arms and Ammunition are put into his hands he will dispose of them in the best manner he can for the publick Service. I am Sir Your humble Peters first wrote “subjected to,” but struck out the...
2399Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 11 November 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1755–1756 (Philadelphia, 1756), pp. 19–21. Upon learning of Indian attacks at Penn’s Creek and other places in the Susquehanna Valley, Governor Morris summoned the Assembly for Nov. 3, 1755. He urged them to pass a militia law and provide funds for defense, although he cautioned them to “not waste your Time in offering me such...
2400Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 11 November 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1755–1756 (Philadelphia, 1756), p. 21. While Morris and his Council were considering the governor’s message to the Assembly of November 8, Conrad Weiser arrived with Scaroyady and other Indians who came with pleas of action to defend the frontier lest the few still loyal Indians defect or become the victims of their armed and...