7801To Benjamin Franklin from [Richard Henry Alexander?] Bennet, [1769?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Bennet presents his Comp[limen]ts to Doctor Franklin and returns him many thanks for the Honor of his very obliging Present which he esteems infinitely. The writer and date are equally conjectural. The Bennet to whom we have assigned the note was an F.R.S. and a co-sponsor, with BF , of the nomination of William Hewson to the Society in December, 1769;...
7802To Benjamin Franklin from [John] Foxcroft, [1769?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society [1769? A note in the third person, dated only Friday, asking Franklin to visit him for a game of chess “on his New Invented Table.” A very bad cold has prevented Foxcroft from calling, and the visit would be an act of charity.] So identified by the handwriting. But his brother Thomas, the Philadelphia postmaster, wrote a closely similar hand, and visited...
7803To Benjamin Franklin from W. Masters, [1769?] (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Though I have not the honour of an intimate acquaintance with you, yet your character of humanity and benevolence, and the intimacy that subsisted between you and my Father, and especially the desire of contributing to the Peace and Happiness of an old Neighbour whom for several Years I have found an honest worthy industrious Man, imboldens me to give you...
7804Marginalia in Good Humour, an Anonymous Pamphlet, [1769?] (Franklin Papers)
MS notations in the margins of a copy in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania of Good Humour: or, a Way with the Colonies, Wherein Is Occasionally Enquired into Mr. P––t’s Claim of Popularity; and the Principles of Virtuous Liberty, as Taught in the School of Mr. Wilkes, and Other Peripatetics (London, 1766). This is the first of a series of marginal comments by Franklin on pamphlets that...
7805Marginalia in The True Constitutional Means, an Anonymous Pamphlet, [1769?] (Franklin Papers)
MS notations in the margins of a copy in the New York Public Library of The True Constitutional Means for Putting an End to the Disputes between Great-Britain and the American Colonies (London, 1769). [ On the title page: ] Query, Could this be written by Mr. Jackson? from some Expressions and Arguments it should seem so; but others are so unlike his Precision that I rather think he is not the...
7806Marginalia in a Pamphlet by Israel Mauduit, [1769?] (Franklin Papers)
MS notations in the margins of a copy in the New York Public Library of [Israel Mauduit,] A Short View of the History of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, with Respect to Their Original Charter and Constitution (London, 1769). The Virginians claim the Honour of having taken this Lead. But, as they are Episcopalians, and the N E. People Dissenters, of whom Sedition, Republicanism and Rebellion...
7807Observations upon [Thomas Pownall], State of the Constitution of the Colonies, [1769?] (Franklin Papers)
MS (copy): American Philosophical Society In December, 1769, or possibly in the following month, Thomas Pownall attempted to formulate general principles of law that applied to the issues in dispute between Britain and her colonies. He composed a short document in two parts; the first set forth six principles, and the second adduced corollaries from them. This document he had printed but not...
7808Marginalia in a Pamphlet by Allan Ramsay, [1769?] (Franklin Papers)
MS notations in the margins of a copy in the Library of Congress of [Allan Ramsay,] Thoughts on the Origin and Nature of Government, Occasioned by the Late Disputes between Great Britain and Her American Colonies: Written in the Year 1766 (London, 1769). Allan Ramsay (1713–84), the son of the Scottish poet of the same name, was one of the most fashionable artists of the period, and in 1767...
7809To George Washington from James Horrocks, 1769 (Washington Papers)
I will take particular Care of the Paper you have sent me, & I am of Opinion I may safely promise you that the Appointment to the Surveyorship mention’d will not be made out before the Time you speak of—I assure you I cannot help considering this as ⟨for⟩ a particular matter, wherein some forms may be dispens’d with under proper Care that the College receives no Detriment, & if this shou’d be...
7810Memorandum List of Quitrents, 1769 (Washington Papers)
A List of Lands belonging to George Washington in the Northern Neck on wch Quitrents became due Michaelmas 1769. In Fairfax County Mt Vernon 2126 Acres Bot of Darrell 500 Clifton 1806 Brent 238 Wm Ashford 135 Geo: Ashford 135 S. Pearson 178 Wm Whiting 200 5318
7811John Semple’s Proposal for Potomac Navigation, 1769 (Washington Papers)
The Opening & making Convenient Passage for Vessells of Ten to Fifteen Tons Burthen through such particular parts of the River Potomac above the Great falls, as is now difficult, & render Tedious and Expensive Portages Necessary, has been long considered as highly meriting the public attention; But as is often the fate of matters wherein many are interested, little has been hitherto done to...
7812Memorandum Books, 1769 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 1. Recd. of J. May Summs. in Witt v. Biby and also in Bowyer v. Buchanan, but Qu. wherefore the latter having sent one before. 12. Handcock v. Walker and Witt v. Biby. Delivd. Summ. to G. Thompson. Henry Rose (Amherst) v. Joseph Lifely. Friendly caveat for 148 acres Amherst. Employed by Rose. 16. John McCue (Albemarle) v. Alexander Patten (Amherst) and David Kincaid (Augusta). Enter...
7813From Benjamin Franklin to George Whitefield, [before 2 September 1769] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Joseph Belcher, George Whitefield: a Biography, with Special Reference to His Labors in America (New York, [1857]), pp. 414–15. I am under continued apprehensions that we may have bad news from America. The sending soldiers to Boston always appeared to me a dangerous step; they could do no good, they might occasion mischief. When I consider the warm resentment of a people who...
7814[January 1769] (Washington Papers)
Jany. 1st. At home alone. Mr. Magowan returnd from Alexandria in the Evening. 2. Went to Colo. Fairfax’s with the Family and stayd all Night. 3. Came home again. Colo. Carlyle & Mr. Ramsay returnd with us. The visit may have been more than social. About three weeks later, on 29 Jan., GW wrote William Ramsay to say that it was “out of my power . . . to furnish you & Mr. Fairfax with the sum...
7815An Acct. of the—Weather in Jan. [1769] (Washington Papers)
Jany. 1st. Ground but little froze, & soon thawed, day clear & pleasant—Wind Southwardly. 2. Perfectly calm, clear, and warm—the Morning was a little frosty—but gd. soon thawd. 3. A large white frost—the gd. a little froze, but soon thawd. Morng. calm & clear—afternoon lowering, & Wind Southwardly. 4. Lowering Morning without frost, but clear afternoon. Wind Southwardly. 5. Calm Morning with...
7816Cash Accounts, January 1769 (Washington Papers)
Cash Jany 12— To Cash won at Cards £0.14.0 To Ditto recd of Mr B[ryan] Fairfax for a Huntg Horn 0. 6.0 To Ditto recd of Ditto on acct of Cards 0. 2.3 Contra Jany 7— By Charity 7/6. By Cards 7/6 0.15.0 By Chs Turner on acct of Mastr Custis 0. 5.6 10— By 54 Gallns of Strong Beer of Mr Mercer @ 1/4 3.12.0 By 52 Do of Ale of Do 11d. 2. 7.8 12—
7817From John Jay to Robert R. Livingston, January 1769 (Jay Papers)
The letter you mention to have wrote the week before last, has never come to Hand and I cant account for the Miscarriage of two Letters I wrote you by the Post last Monday, in which I informed You of the Dissolution & c .— The Paper you inclosed by will be printed to Night, and 100 shall be struck off and sent—Coll. Beekman has either wrote or procured a Paper to be written, 60 of w h . you...
7818From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Kames, 1–16 January 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Scottish Record Office It is always a great Pleasure to me to hear from you, and would be a much greater to be with you, to converse with you on the Subjects you mention, or any other. Possibly I may yet one day enjoy that Pleasure. In the meantime we may use the Privilege that the Knowledge of Letters affords us, of conversing at a distance by the Pen. I am glad to find you are turning...
7819[Diary entry: 1 January 1769] (Washington Papers)
Jany. 1st. At home alone. Mr. Magowan returnd from Alexandria in the Evening.
7820[Diary entry: 1 January 1769] (Washington Papers)
Jany. 1st. Ground but little froze, & soon thawed, day clear & pleasant—Wind Southwardly.
7821To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, [c. 2 January 1769] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Many of your Friends, as well as myself, would be glad to have such a Bust of you. Pray what would be the Expence? That of Lord Halifax, I am told, was not cut in Marble first, but made of Clay, and from that the Casts in Plaister of Paris was made. I am often ask’d for your Prints by your old Friends and Acquaintance, and I have given among...
7822[Diary entry: 2 January 1769] (Washington Papers)
2. Went to Colo. Fairfax’s with the Family and stayd all Night.
7823[Diary entry: 2 January 1769] (Washington Papers)
2. Perfectly calm, clear, and warm—the Morning was a little frosty—but gd. soon thawd.
7824[Diary entry: 3 January 1769] (Washington Papers)
3. Came home again. Colo. Carlyle & Mr. Ramsay returnd with us. The visit may have been more than social. About three weeks later, on 29 Jan., GW wrote William Ramsay to say that it was “out of my power . . . to furnish you & Mr. Fairfax with the sum asked.” Then shifting to a subject closer to his heart, GW continued: “Having once or twice of late heard you speak highly in praise of the [New]...
7825[Diary entry: 3 January 1769] (Washington Papers)
3. A large white frost—the gd. a little froze, but soon thawd. Morng. calm & clear—afternoon lowering, & Wind Southwardly.
7826Remarks & Observations—in Jan. [1769] (Washington Papers)
Jany. 4. Finishd measuring Corn in the Neck—total quantity 694 Barrels. About this time Muddy hole People began clearing Ground. 5. Began clearing Ground in the Neck. Mill People getting Rails to fence Corn field by Mr. Manleys. 9. Began to open the Avenue in front of the House in order to bring the Road along it. 10. Finishd gathering Corn at Doeg run Quarter. 242 Barrels. A Very spewing...
7827To Benjamin Franklin from Harvard College, 4 January 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William C. Lane, “Harvard College and Franklin,” Colonial Society of Massachusetts Publications , X (1907), 236. Voted 4. That the Thanks of this Board be given to Dr. Benja. Franklin for his very acceptable Present, of a fine Bust of that great Assertor of American Liberties, Lord Chatham. The bust was presumably a copy of the only one known from this period, that executed by...
7828[Diary entry: 4 January 1769] (Washington Papers)
4. Went a fox huntg. with the above Gentlemen, & were met by the two Colo. Fairfax’s but found nothing. Messrs. C & R. went home.
7829[Diary entry: 4 January 1769] (Washington Papers)
4. Lowering Morning without frost, but clear afternoon. Wind Southwardly.
7830[Diary entry: 4 January 1769] (Washington Papers)
Jany. 4. Finishd measuring Corn in the Neck—total quantity 694 Barrels. About this time Muddy hole People began clearing Ground.