1From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin and Elizabeth West, [before 4 April 1772?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : Yale University Library <Before April 4, [1772? ], and in the third person. An invitation to dinner next Saturday, April 4.> Between the artist’s marriage and BF ’s return to America, April 4 fell on a Saturday in 1767 and 1772. Our predecessors did not print the invitation under the earlier date, and we are therefore assigning it to the later one.
2From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 22 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library This Line will be presented to you by a very ingenious Gentleman, M. Kempel, inventor of the Automaton that plays at Chess. He has other Inventions in Mechanics of a more useful Nature, which he has Thoughts of communicating in England, if he can meet with Encouragement. I beg leave to recommend him to your Civilities & Counsels, and am ever, with sincere Esteem &...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 5 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I received my very dear Friend’s Letter of the 9th April, with the Pacquet accompanying it. I leave the whole Management of that Edition in your Hands with great Confidence, as I am sure my Pieces will be improv’d by your Attention to the Matters you mention.— I have sent a little Paper to Dr Ingenhauss, which I have desired him to give to you, or to Dr Priestly...
4From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 26 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives I have just received the enclos’d Letters by the Chevalier Kermorvan. By the Conversation I have had with him he appears to me skilful in his Profession. I hope in a few days to be strong enough to come to town and attend my Duty in Congress. In the mean time, I could wish you to introduce the Gentleman where it may be proper, and that you would translate the Passage...
5From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 23 March 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you a few Days since by Mr Williams, but I omitted some Newspapers which I had intended to send by him: I now inclose them. They contain sundry Articles relating to the Barbarities exercis’d by the British in America; and as you had borrow’d of me a Paper containing an Account of those committed by Lord Cornwallis, and thought there might be some...
6From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 11 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : partially reproduced in Christie’s auction catalogue, “Important Autograph Letters from the Historical Archives at Bowood House” (London, Oct. 12, 1994), p. 34; William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 388–9. In mine of yesterday, which went by Mr Young, I made no mention of yours of May 11. it not being...
7From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Gale, 23 February 1767 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract reprinted from The Connecticut Courant , June 28, 1769. I receiv’d your favour of Nov. 15, with a letter inclos’d to Dr. Huxham, relating to a mistake in the account given of your success in inoculation, as printed in the Gentleman’s Magazine of August last, which seems to give you great uneasiness. It seems you have not known that your letter to Dr. Huxham, concerning...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Elizabeth and Benjamin West, 16 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : McGill University Library I received by the hand of Mr Strange, and contemplated with great Pleasure, the Representations of my dear Friends Mr and Mrs West, & their Children, contain’d in the fine Print they have been so kind as to send me. I pray God to bless them all, particularly my Godson, and grant them to live as long as I have done, & with as much Health, who continue as hearty...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 19 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library I should have been at Versailles this Morning as you desired, tho’ I had no clear Conception, from what you said to me, how my going could be of Use; but late last Night I received a Note from M. de V. [Vergennes] which postpones the Interview till tomorrow at 10 aClock. Your Brother tells me that you would have come out here to day if you had not imagined I...
10From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, [before 25 December 1780] (Franklin Papers)
Translation: American Philosophical Society Jai reçu vôtre lettre avec le prix que vous avès obtenu et qui m’a fait un grand plaisir j’ai reçu il n’y a pas longtemps une autre lettre de vous dans laquelle vous ne faites pas mention des longues lettres que je vous ai ecris environ le 25 de septembre, dans les quel il y avoit une lettre pour vous de vôtre Maman et une autre de cokran: je vous ai...
11From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Waterhouse, 18 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received your obliging Letter of the 16th past, enclosing one from my dear Friend Dr Fothergill. I was happy to hear from him, that he was quite free of the Disorder that had like to have remov’d him last Summer: But I had soon after a Letter from another Friend acquainting me that he was again dangerously ill of the same Malady; and the Newspapers...
12From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 3 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received your Letter, and it gave me great Pleasure to hear of your safe Arrival at Geneva, & of your being plac’d in your Pension. You now have a fine Opportunity of learning those things that will be reputable and useful to you when you come to be a Man; and you will make your Father and Mother very happy to hear that you mind your Studies and improve daily,...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 4 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library I take the Liberty of introducing to your Acquaintance the Bearer Mr. Redford, because I am persuaded that I shall therein do you a Pleasure. His Character you will find in an enclos’d Letter to me from Dr. Price. I hope his Reception in our Country will be such as to make it agreable to him and induce him to settle among us; as from the short Acquaintance I have...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 22 March 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Dartmouth College Library It has been a great Pleasure to me to hear occasionally from others, that you were closely engag’d in your Studies, and distinguishing yourself by the Progress you made in them. I promise my self that you will return with such a Stock of useful Knowledge as will render you an Ornament to your Country; and that I shall have no reason to regret the Appearance of...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 25 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Mrs. Carl H. Ernlund (Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1958) I received a Letter the other day from my dear Boy, without Date. It always gives me Pleasure to hear from you, to be inform’d of your Welfare, and that you mind your Learning. It is now the Season for you to acquire that, at the Expence of your Friends, which may be of Use to you when they are dead and gone, and qualify you to fill...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 16 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy: American Philosophical Society I received an English Letter from you in February last, and a french one since of the 26th of March. You do well to write often to me, because it always gives me Pleasure to hear of your Welfare, tho the Affairs I am engag’d in do not permit me so often to write to you. I have heard lately from your Papa & Mama, who were well with the whole Family. I...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 29 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), III , 466. I received your kind letters of the 16th and 20th instant. I thank you for your philosophical news. We have none here. I see your philosophers are in the way of finding out at last what fire is. I have long been of opinion that it exists every where...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 19 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): University of Pennsylvania Library Do not think that I have forgotten you, because I have been so long without writing to you. I think of you every day, and there is nothing I desire more than to see you furnish’d with good Learning, that I may return you to your Father and Mother so accomplish’d, with such Knowledge & Virtue as to give them Pleasure, and enable you to become an...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 23 June 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I received your late Letter, and am pleas’d to see that you improve in your Writing. I have also receiv’d the little Drawing of a Country-house, which seems to be prettily done, and shows that you advance also in that Art. I write by this Post to Mr. Marignac, requesting that he would permit you to come and see me and stay with me during the Vacation of...
20From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 18 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I shall be very happy to see my dear Friend if it may be without Inconvenience to him; and the sooner the happier. The Duke de Chaulnes, who was with me last Night, has ask’d me to dine with him on Sunday, when he expected you: But that is a long time for me to wait; And I cannot think of another Place where a Meeting with me would not occasion Speculation....
21From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 12 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library This will be delivered to you by Dr. Ross, who is strongly recommended to me by Persons of Distinction in England, and who, after travelling over a great Part of the World, wishes to fix himself for the rest of his Life in America. You will find him a very ingenious sensible Man, and be pleas’d with his Conversation: and you will therefore excuse my requesting for...
22From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 18 September 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library M. du Trône, who will have the Honour of presenting you this Line, is recommended to me by very respectable Persons, as a young Gentleman of excellent Character, who goes to America with Views of residing there some Years, and practising Chemistry. I beg leave to recommend him to your Protection and good Counsels, and to those Civilities you delight in showing to...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 25 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Kenneth W. Rendell, Inc., Catalog 54 (December, 1970), p. 14. I received your Letter of Nov. 20. & another written on Occasion of the New Year, together with the Drawings, which please me, and I have desired your Master to advance a Guinea in Books for you, as a Present from me in Return for those Drawings: But I expect you will improve; and...
24From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 30 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Parke-Bernet sale catalogue, February 27–28, 1974, item 265. The Bearer M. Tessier, is well recommended to me as a Person of good Character and an excellent Surgeon, who purposes to go to America and offer his Services in our Armies. Having no Orders to send Surgeons thither, I could give him no kind of Encouragement by Promises of Employment or otherways. He therefore goes of...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin West, 17 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Charles Lard, West Hartford, Connecticut (1981) I forget whether I answer’d in its time your kind Letter by Mr. Dagge. I have it now before me, and there will be no harm in answering it twice. It gave me great Pleasure, as it inform’d me of the Welfare of a Family I so much esteem and love, and that my Godson is a promising Boy. I wish much to see you all once more. The Malady I have,...
26From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 17 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: American Philosophical Society Since I wrote to you respecting Dr. Withering, I have received a very satisfactory Letter from him. So this Affair need not give you father [farther] Trouble.— I am sorry to hear you are hurt by a Fall from your Horse. I hope the Effects will not be lasting; and that by this time you are recover’d. It will give me great Pleasure to hear that our...
27From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 7 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Library of Congress This will be delivered to you by Count Mirabeau Son of the Marquis of that Name; Author of LAmi des Hommes. This Gentleman is esteemed here, and I recommend him to your Civilities and Counsels, particularly with respect to the Printing of a Piece he has written on the subject of hereditary Nobility, on occasion of the Order of Cincinnati lately attempted to be...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 14 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Haverford College The Chevr. Castiglioni, who will deliver you this Line, is an Italian Gentleman of Character and Family, from Milan. He proposes a Tour thro’ all our States. I beg leave to recommend him to your Civilities, and that you would introduce him to the Acquaintance of such of our Society as have a Tincture of Natural History & Botany in which he is particularly curious. With...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 2 May 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have receiv’d several Letters from you, and in the last a Specimen of your Drawing, which I was pleas’d with, as well as with your Letters. I am not going yet to England, as you supposed. When I do go there, I shall certainly take you with me. I send you the Medal you desire; but I cannot afford to give Gold Watches to Children. When you are more of a Man,...
30From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 8 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. Frances V. Finletter, Philadelphia (1956) I cannot let this Opportunity of Mr. Jay’s going to London, pass without Dropping a Line to you, to say that I am tolerably well and love you as much as ever; and that I wish to hear from you oftner, tho’ I am so bad a Correspondent as not to deserve it. I find I have, left, four of my Vols. on Electricity, and none of your Collection. If Mr...
31From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, [c. 21 March 1783] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin … (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 227–8. You mention that I may now see verified all you said about binding down England to so hard a peace. I suppose you do not mean by the American treaty; for we were exceeding favourable in not insisting on the reparations so justly due for the wanton...
32From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 7 January 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia This letter of introduction is the initial appearance in Franklin’s correspondence of a young man who later became important to him, first as his editor and then as Shelburne’s emissary during the peace negotiations of 1782. Benjamin Vaughan (1751–1835) was the eldest son of Samuel Vaughan, a wealthy English merchant with interests in...
33From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 17 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. Elizabeth Mifflin Boyd, Chestnut Hill, Pa. (1955); AL (draft): Library of Congress This will be delivered to you by Mr. Archer, a young Gentleman of excellent Character, whose Zeal for the Cause of Liberty, and strong Desire of being serviceable to it and to our Country, with those Qualities of Mind and Acquirements that lay the best Foundation for his really becoming so, will I am...
34From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 22 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; letterbook draft: American Philosophical Society I am favoured with yours of June 24. and shall as it is my Duty endeavour to obtain the Royal Assent to every Act passed by our Assembly; and to that you recommend, the more particularly as I think it reasonable in itself, and connected with Liberty of Conscience a Fundamental of our Constitution. But I am doubtful...
35From Benjamin Franklin to [Benjamin Waller], 1 August 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. Daniel Buckley, Broadaxe, Pennsylvania (1955) I receiv’d yesterday your Favour of June 25. relating to the Son of my dear Friend Mr. Hunter. I am sensible that the Care of the Education of young Persons, is attended with Trouble, and like other old Men I begin in most things to consult my Ease: But I shall with Pleasure undertake the Charge you propose to me, if it be, as I suppose...
36From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 8 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favour of Nov. 2. in which I see you have started a good deal of philosophical Game; let me know from time to time your success and send me some of the Venison. Mr. fabrony call’d to see me, but express’d no desire of altering his Voyage, and proceeded immediately to Italy. I received also yours of Jan. 4. with the Sheets of the appendix but I have not...
37From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 26 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from The Pennsylvania Packet, And General Advertiser, June 29, 1784; copy: Bibliothèque de Genève I do not know who is at present secretary of our philosophical society, and therefore I address to you, who read French, a book lately published here, which gives an account of one of the most extraordinary discoveries that this age has produced, by which men are enabled to rise in the...
38From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 14 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; letterbook draft: Library of Congress In a Box to Mr. Bache I send you a Bundle of the Ephemerides; they came but lately to hand with Duplicates for me; tho’ it appears by my Letter that they were sent from Paris last May was twelvemonth. Where they have been all this time I have not learnt. I send you also one of Dr. Priestly’s Pamphlets, containing a...
39From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Webb, 22 April 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Library of Congress I received your’s of the 15th. Instant, and the Memorial it inclosed. The account they give of your situation grieves me. I send you herewith a Bill for Ten Louis d’ors. I do not pretend to give such a Sum. I only lend it to you. When you shall return to your Country with a good Character, you cannot fail of getting into some Business that will in time enable...
40From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 7 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Chapin Library, Williams College; press copy of ALS : American Philosophical Society I received some time since, and sent to your Father, the Samples you had sent to me of your Drawing, particularly the Copy of the Print of your Grand Father, which appear’d to be well done. I have also just now receiv’d your Letter written to wish me a happy New Year; but you should nevertheless have put...
41From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 22 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received your late Favour without date, and immediately ordered 100 £ Sterling in the Hands of Mr Hodgson to be at the Disposition of Mr President Laurens. Please to inform me how he does. My last Informations which came from the Lieut of the Tower thro’ Sir Grey Cooper, were that he was very well, & that he was perfectly satisfied with the Treatment...
42From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 8 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
L : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Mr Franklin presents his respectful Compliments to Count De Vergennes & has the honour of acquainting him with the Arrival of Mr Grenville; who is desirous of knowing when his Excellency will be pleased to admit him to the honour of a Conference. Endorsed: Rec. le meme jour In WTF ’s hand.
43From Benjamin Franklin to François Bowens, 2 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress This is to request, that in Addition to the Paper you already have the Kindness to forward me, you would procure & send me Likewise, The Whitehall Evening Post, & the General Advertiser . Your Disbursements on this Account shall be thankfully repaid you by Sir, your &c
44From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 3 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I had no Line from you per last Packet. But I had the Satisfaction of hearing you were well by Mr. Beache’s Letter. I wrote to you per Capt. All, and sent you some little Things. I continue well, and am ever, Your affectionate Husband Bache’s letter was that of Jan. 4 above, and BF ’s by Capt. All was, we assume, that of Feb. 14.
45From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Deshayes, 27 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Library of Congress I understand from his Excellency M. De Sartine that you have taken Care of such poor Americans as arrived at Cherbourg from England, and been at some Expence in relieving them. Please to accept my Thanks, and send me your Account that I may reimburse you. And as you have been so good as to Offer a Continuance of these kind Offices of Humanity I hereby assure you...
46From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 1 September 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is only to enclose a second Bill for £20 Sterling, drawn on Alexr Grant Esqr per Mrs. Mary Stevens. I am, Yours affectionately See above, p. 339.
47From Benjamin Franklin to Ralph Izard, 27 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and two transcripts: National Archives; transcript: South Carolina Historical Society The Bearer says he is a native of Charles town South Carolina, and he wants a Pass to go into Italy. I do not well understand the account he gives of himself. He seems to me to be lost, and to want advice. I beg leave to refer him to you, who will soon be able to discover whether his account is true. I...
48From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 12 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Harvard University Library Mr Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr Lee, and sends all the Journals he has; but, as he has not yet had time to read them, he prays Mr Lee to return them when he has perus’d them.— Addressed: The honble A Lee Esqr / Paris. Notation: Sepr. 12. 1779 Lee did so later that day with a note saying, “Mr. Lee presents his Compts. to Dr. Franklin & returns the...
49From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 4 December 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library This serves to enclose second Bills for One Hundred Pound Sterling, sent per Richey. I am, ut supra. Addressed: To Mr Wm Strahan Printer London Per Capt. Mitchell. Written on the same sheet with the duplicate of his letter to Strahan, Nov. 27, 1753.
50From Benjamin Franklin to James Logan, 7 March 1748 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; abstracted in Worthington C. Ford, comp., List of the Benjamin Franklin Papers in the Library of Congress (Washington, 1905), p. 10. Abstract : Pass’s opinion as to cost of casting cannon; favors purchasing from New England. The ALS is known to have been missing from Lib. Cong. since 1951. In Ford’s List the addressee is given as “James Logan, Trenton”—obviously a misreading of...