To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 13 December 1777
From Joseph Priestley
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Calne 13 Decbr. 1777.
Dear Sir
Though our correspondence be interrupted by the most unhappy of all events, and your mind must be wholly occupied with things of infinitely greater moment than any thing that I can write to you about, you are never long out my thoughts; and I still flatter myself with the idea of seeing you once more. The late news from America has contributed very much to give me this hope, as it must, I think, convince the most sanguine, that the war cannot be continued without disgrace and ruin. Still, however, I feel deeply for what your poor country has suffered, and now suffers; and I have passed many an anxious and melancholy hour since this unnatural war began.
I shall continue to trouble you with such of my publications as I think you may now and then look into. With this you will receive two volumes of Metaphysics; and I hope you have received my 3d volume on air. I have almost materials enow for another volume, but as they do not relate to air principally, I shall change my title, and begin a new work.1 To be informed by yourself only that you are well, and in tolerable spirits, would give me great pleasure. I am, Dear Sir, most sincerely yours,
J Priestley
Addressed: To Doctor Franklin
Notation: Dr Priestly 13. Xbre 1777
1. The metaphysical work was Disquisitions Relating to Matter and Spirit . . . (2 vols., London, 1777); the third volume on air, completing the first edition, was Experiments and Observations on Different Kinds of Air . . . (London, 1777); the new work he was beginning, which became the fourth volume of future editions, was Experiments and Observations Relating to Various Branches of Natural Philosophy, with a Continuation of the Observations on Air (London, 1779). The two published books, along with this letter, were carried by the Rev. Joseph Berington; see his letter below, after Dec. 13.