4701From Benjamin Franklin to [Charbonnier de la Robole], [13 September 1784] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress; press copy of L (French translation): American Philosophical Society Mr Franklin sends the Recommendatory Letters desired, but cannot advise Mr. Mouret to go to North America in Expectation of Employment in a Country of which he does not understand the Language, and thinks that if he will leave France he had better go to the French Islands St. Domingo,...
4702From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 8 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I duly received yours of The 9th. past and wrote immediately to England relating to The Prisoners you mention. I do not apprehend there is any more Danger of Their Lives than of any others taken in this War by the English: for if Those Men having formerly been English Subjects is a reason for having [hanging] Them, it is the Same for hanging other American Prisoners,...
4703From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 6 October 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I must, I find, stay another Winter here absent from you and my Family, but positively nothing shall prevent, God willing, my Returning in the Spring. I had no Line from you by the last Packet, but had the Satisfaction of hearing you were well. I thank God, my Health continues; but I cannot in the course of things expect it much longer, which makes me the...
4704From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 28 July 1747 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Academy of Arts and Sciences The inclosed is a Copy of my last, which went by the Governour’s Vessel: since which we have received, by Mesnard and Ouchterlony, Hill’s Theophrastus, Pemberton’s Dispensatory, Wilson’s Electricity and some other Pamphlets. The Proprietor’s handsome Present of a complete Electrical Apparatus &c. is also come to Hand in good Order, and is put up in...
4705From Benjamin Franklin to Stürler, 10 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress M. De Frey has, I think, quitted our Service, and is excused by the Congress from the Necessity of returning. I nevertheless lent him 16. Guineas on his Promise of repaying me in a few Days. He broke that Promise and borrowed 4. Guineas more of me on a new Promise, which he likewise broke; for when he paid me it was much after the Time. I do not like to be troubled...
4706From Benjamin Franklin to the Eastern Navy Board, 17 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letters you did me the honour of writing to me the 30th of July and 18th. of August last, by the Mercury Packet Boat and by a french Cutter, the other Dispatches Capt. Samson was entrusted with, came all Safe to hand; and I Should have dipatch’d him sooner, if I had not found it necessary to detain him in order to Send by him to Congress some Advices of...
4707From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 3 June 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Capt. Jefferies has so long talk’d of sailing, that People began to think he would never sail; and now I am just told that he goes this Evening, so can only say that I am well, and that having receiv’d Sally’s Letter by Capt. Falkner, I rejoice to hear you so soon got over your late Indisposition, but am impatient for the next Packet which I hope will bring...
4708From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Nesbitt, 1 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I duly received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 20th. past. But have been too ill to answer sooner. I am sorry that anything happened in the Disention of your Friend, that is disagreable to you or to him. I send down by this Post Directions to Commodore Jones to receive his Oath to the States & deliver him a Passport. But as there are other...
4709From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 1 May 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I embrace most gladly my dear Friend’s Proposal of a Subject for our future Correspondence; not only as it will occasion my hearing from her more frequently, but as it will lay me under a Necessity of improving my own Knowledge that I may be better able to assist in her Improvement. I only fear my necessary Business and Journeys with the natural Indolence...
4710From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Colden, 3 March 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress <London, March 3, 1773: Has received Colden’s letter of Jan. 7 enclosing Ritchie on Hyndman, Lancaster & Co. for £100, and hopes it will be paid, for “we have had too many bad ones of late.”>
4711From Benjamin Franklin to Spinola, 13 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 9th inst. respecting the appointment of a Consul to reside at Boston on the part of your State, to protect the interests of your commerce & people in America. On consideration I thought it right to communicate the same to my Colleagues now here, Mr Adams & Mr Jefferson, they being with me commissioned to...
4712From Benjamin Franklin to John Ross, 15 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have received your favour of the 9. July. I should be very glad to have it in my Power to satisfy every body, and send all the Supplies immediately to America, which the late Disturbance on board the Alliance has in a great measure prevented. I understand that the Alliance would carry a considerable Part of the Stores, and the Ariel the Remainder, but this first...
4713From Benjamin Franklin to John Waring, 17 December 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Being but just return’d home from a Tour thro’ the northern Colonies, that has employ’d the whole Summer, my Time at present is so taken up that I cannot now write fully in answer to the Letters I have receiv’d from you, but purpose to do it shortly. This is chiefly to acquaint you, that I have visited the Negro School here in Company with the Revd. Mr....
4714From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, [November? 1768] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Inclos’d is a Letter from Mr. Coleman; it came under Cover of one to me, and the Seal of mine sticking to that of yours makes an Appearance as if yours had been broke open. Your Mother and I long’d indeed to know what it contain’d, but we were, as you express it, too formal , and would not poison your Crib , tho’ we think we have a Right to see it. My...
4715Introduction to a Plan for Benefiting the New Zealanders, 29 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in [Alexander Dalrymple, Scheme of a Voyage by Subscription to Convey the Conveniences of Life . . . to Those Remote Regions, Which Are Destitute of Them . . . London, 1771 ]. In July, 1771, James Cook and the crew of the Endeavour returned from a three-year voyage around the world. They had spent six months on the coasts of New Zealand, and had carefully examined the islands for the...
4716From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 6 September 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Your agreable Letter of the 4th August, is just come to hand, being sent back to me from London hither. I have been a Month on my Journey; but the first Thing I did after my Arrival here was to enquire at Mr. Kincaid’s whether you were yet in Scotland. He told me he believ’d you were out of Town, but not return’d to England, and might be heard of at Mrs. Scot’s....
4717From Benjamin Franklin to Gabriel Johonnot, 20 December 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this Day drawn on you for 1026 Livres 3 Sols & 6 deniers, being what I have lately paid for your Son’s Education to the 5th of October last. Another Quarter will be soon due. He is a fine Youth, and I make no doubt but his Improvements are more than equal to the Expense. You will be pleas’d to honour the Bill, and transmit a Fund for...
4718From Benjamin Franklin to the Massachusetts Board of War: Extract, 17 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Goodspeed’s Catalogue, no. 517 (1963), pp. 50–1. I was much oblig’d by your Favour of Oct. 20. containing the History of the Campaign, and exceeding good news of Gen. Burgoyne’s Deafeat, etc. I communicated it immediately to the Ministry at Versailles, to whom it gave the most perfect Satisfaction. I have now the Pleasure to acquaint you, that two Treaties between France and the...
4719To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 6 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer Mr Grieve, goes to Virginia, with an Intention of settling there, where he has also some Business in which you are concern’d. I beg leave to present him to your Exlleny as a Gentleman of Character, & who has long distinguished himself in England as a firm Friend to the Cause of America. I purpose writing to you fully by Col: Laurens, who will leave Paris in a few days. With great &...
4720From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 25 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I duely receiv’d yours of the 18, with Advice of your Drawing for 58407 l.t. 14 s. 0 d. as the Ballance of your Acct with the Commrs. I shall accept your Bills when they appear. In settling M. Williams’s Accounts, M. Lee insisted on having all the Vouchers in support of each Article produced here. How far this is agreeable to the Customs of Merchants I know not, but...
4721From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 9 November 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have only time to acknowledge the Receipt of yours of Sept. 6. and thank you for the Intelligence it contains. The Disturbances in the Colonies give me great Concern, as I fear the Event will be pernicious to America in general. But I hope the Address expected home from the Congress you mention, will be couch’d in such humble and dutiful Terms, as that...
4722From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris, 30 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, National Archives, Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; transcript: National Archives In my last of the 27th. Instant, I omitted one thing, I had intended, viz, to desire you would give absolute orders to your Cruisers, not to bring in any more dutch Vessels, tho’ charg’d with Enemy’s goods, unless contraband. All the neutral states of Europe seem at...
4723From Benjamin Franklin to [George Whitefield], 6 December 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Huntington Library Judge Smith’s Recommendation of Mr. Rodgers, sent me by my dear Friend, is a high one indeed! More need not be said in a Man’s favour if he were to be set up as a Candidate for the Title of Arch-Angel. I have not yet had an Answer from Edinburgh. There is sometimes in these Affairs a Delay of two or three Months, when there happens to be no Meeting of the Professors,...
4724From Benjamin Franklin to Catharine Ray, 4 March 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library Your kind Letter of January 20. is but just come to hand, and I take this first Opportunity of acknowledging the Favour. It gives me great Pleasure to hear that you got home safe and well that Day. I thought too much was hazarded, when I saw you put off to Sea in that very little Skiff, toss’d by every Wave. But the Call was strong and just, a sick Parent. I stood...
4725From Benjamin Franklin to Sir Alexander Dick, [5 October 1759] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. Ailsa Joan Mary Dick-Cunyngham, Prestonfield, Edinburgh (1955) Dr. Franklin and his Son present their respectful Compliments to Sir Alexander Dick, and shall attend him to Preston-field tomorrow with great Pleasure. They are extreamly oblig’d to Sir Alexander for his kind Invitation to spend some Days at his Seat in the Country, but doubt the short Stay they must make in these Parts...
4726Extracts from the Gazette, 1731 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 5 to December 28, 1731. In our last we gave our Readers an Account of the Number of Burials in this City for a Year past, by comparing which with the Number of Burials of one Year in Boston, Berlin, Colln, Amsterdam and London, ( See our Gazette No. 64, 77, 78.) a pretty near Judgment may be made of the different Proportions of People in each City....
4727To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin, 21 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Letter your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me Yesterday, gives me the first Information of the Resolution mentioned as taken by the State of Maryland relating to their Money in England. If there is no Mistake in the Intelligence, (which I apprehend there may be) and such a Power as is supposed should come to my Hands, I shall then take your Excellency’s Recommendation, (which...
4728To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 19 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Count Christian and Count William de Deux Ponts Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment of that Name are now abount to embark for America. As Possibly they may before their Return visit your Army, I beg leave to introduce them to your Excellency and to Recommend them to your Civilities as young Gentleman well known to me, of Excellent Character and zealous Friends to our Cause and...
4729Right, Wrong, and Reasonable, [18 April 1767] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser , April 18, 1767. In the March 5 and 9 issues of the Gazetteer appeared a long, unsigned article, entitled “Right, Wrong, and Reasonable, according to American Ideas, and the genuine meaning of certain manuscripts lately imported.” This article was clearly prompted by the New York merchants’ petition, Nov. 28, 1766, which was laid before the...
4730Appeal for the Hospital, 8 and 15 August 1751 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , August 8 and 15, 1751. Among all the innumerable Species of Animals which inhabit the Air, Earth and Water, so exceedingly different in their Production, their Properties, and the Manner of their Existence, and so varied in Form, that even of the same Kind, it can scarce be said there are two Individuals in all Respects alike; it is remarkable, there are...
4731From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Shipley, 13 September 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I write but seldom to you, because at this time the most innocent Correspondence with me may be suspected, and attended with Inconvenience to yourself. Our united Wishes for a Reconciliation of the two Countries, are not I fear soon to be accomplished; for I hear your Ministry are determin’d to persevere in their mad Measures, and here I find the firmest...
4732From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwalader Evans, 13 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Frederick R. Kirkland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1955) I received your obliging Favours of March 15. and May 21. and thank you for the Intelligence they contain, and for your kind Congratulations. The Proceedings of those mad People on the Frontiers, and the Countenance they receive, with the little care taken to suppress them, are really astonishing. But they and their Abetters are...
4733From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 17 March 1770: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Historical Society of Pennsylvania What you say with regard to advancing Money for Building Mills, Bloomeries, &c. has a good deal in it, and I believe most of the Persons concerned will think with you when the Settlement comes under Consideration. I sent you a Part of L. Evans’s Map, containing the Bounds of the intended Province: You see by that, that the Scheme is much enlarg’d...
4734From Benjamin Franklin to Louis Le Veillard fils, 19 February 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. Stuart Chevalier (Pasadena, California, 1958) I am asham’d to desire your Care of so large a Pacquet. If you have not Room for it in your Baggage, please to return it by the Bearer. I inclose two Letters recommending you, and I wish you a good Journey. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant The son of BF ’s neighbor Louis-Guillaume Le Veillard, he was a...
4735From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 31 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Two LS : National Archives; ALS (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I wrote to your Excellency the 4th. of March past, to go by this Ship, the Alliance, then expected to sail immediately. But the Men refusing to go ’till paid their Shares of Prize Money, and sundry Difficulties arising with regard to the Sale and Division, she has been...
4736From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Louis Giraud Soulavie, 22 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy, signed: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: American Philosophical Society (two), Indiana University I return the Papers with some corrections. I did not find Coal mines under the Calcareous rock in Derbyshire. I only remarked that at the lowest Part of that rocky Mountain which was in sight, there were Oyster Shells mixed with the Stone; & part of the high County of Derby being...
4737From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 1 September 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I receiv’d your obliging Letter of June 5. I find by my Letter Book, that I wrote to you May 1. and June 25. I thought I had sent you one of my Narratives. You cannot conceive the Number of bitter Enemies that little Piece has rais’d me among the Irish Presbyterians. I now send you a Pamphlet that I have written since in favour of our projected Change of...
4738From Benjamin Franklin to Library Company Subscribers, 25 March 1732 (Franklin Papers)
MS Minute Book: Library Company of Philadelphia The Directors, in Town, met with the Treasurer and Secretary at Nicholas Scull’s, as was agreed at last Meeting, B. Franklin having sent a Messenger about with printed Notes in these Words Vizt. “Sir. Next Saturday Evening Attendance will be given at N. Scull’s, to receive the Money subscribed to the Library, of those who have not yet paid; when...
4739From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Thomson, 13 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : National Archives, Washington I have some Thoughts of going with Osborne; but as I may be disappointed in that, I write a few Lines, to acquaint you, that the Petition of the Congress has lain upon the Table of both Houses ever since it was sent down to them among the Papers that accompany’d it from above, and has had no particular Notice taken of it; our Petition to be heard in support...
4740From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 20 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress Since my last I made a Proposition to M. de Vergennes, that the Government should take the Bargain of the Vessel off our Hands with the Freight we had paid, transport in her our Effects, & fill her up with their own. He did not chuse to embarras himself with the Arrangement necessary to be made for this with different...
4741From Benjamin Franklin to [de Reine], [after 12 July 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society Les suffrages que vos vers ont obtenus, Monsieur, vous asseurent de leur bonté, je voudrois savoir assez le françois pour sentir tout leur mérite et je vous remercie de l’honeur que vous m’avez fait de me les envoyer; j’ay reçu ce que vous aviez chargé Mr. Brisson de me remettre et j’accepte le ris du thibet a balles noires que vous m’offrez; je ne veux...
4742From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 18 March 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Letters are all in Capt. Falconer, but as Capt. Sparks has just been so kind as to call and acquaint me that he sails to day, and I understand that Falconer will not sail till the 20th. I just write this Line to acquaint you that I am well. Mrs. Stevenson and Polly, join me in best Affections, &c. My Love to our Children, &c. I am, my dear Debby, Your...
4743From Benjamin Franklin to Elizabeth Hubbart, 13 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your Story is well told and entertaining Only let me admonish you of a small tho’ common Fault of Story-tellers. You should not have introduc’d it by telling me how comical it was, especially a Post before you sent the Story it self: For when the Expectation is rais’d too high, ’tis a Disadvantage to the Thing expected. But let us not be merely entertain’d...
4744From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, 3 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I write this Line just to acknowledge the Receipt of your several Favours of July 15 and 16, enclosing the Resolves of the House relating to the Governor’s Salary, and the Petition to the King. Lord Dartmouth, now our American Minister, will probably not be in Town till the Season of Business comes on, I shall then immediately put the Petition into...
4745From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 10 December 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Glassboro (N.J.) State Teachers College Enclos’d are some Letters for you, left with me by Mr. Strahan. I have some Time since bespoke the Brevier you last desired, and hope it will now soon be ready. In your last you desire to know my Mind about Remitting, the Price of Bills being so high with you. What Money I have here is chiefly in the Funds, from whence I cannot withdraw it for...
4746From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, [11 May 1779 or after] (Franklin Papers)
AL and AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Vous m’avez dit, ma chere fille, que vôtre Coeur est trop sensible . Je vois bien, dans vos Lettres, que cela est trop vraie . D’etre fort sensible de nos propres fautes; c’est bon; parceque cela nous mêne de les eviter en futur: Mais d’etre fort sensible & affligé des Fautes d’autres Gens,—ce n’est pas bon. C’est à eux d’être sensible là, &...
4747From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Nicholls Colden, 18 February 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I received yours of Dec. 2. and Jany. 5. inclosing the following Bills, viz. Taylor on Goddard £37 10 s. 0 d. Stute on Bogle, Somerville & Co. 31 4 s. 2½ d. Mitchell on Todd 50 4 s.
4748From Benjamin Franklin to Catharine Greene, 15 February 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have before me your most acceptable Favour of Dec. 24. Publick Business and our public Confusions have so taken up my Attention, that I suspect I did not answer it when I receiv’d it, but am really not certain; so to make sure, I write this Line to acknowledge the Receiving it, and to thank you for it. I condole with you on the Death of the good old Lady...
4749From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 5 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I receiv’d several Letters from you last Night, which I put into Mr. Dean’s Hands, who answers them. I forwarded yours to London; for M. Blount, some time since. Since you are likely to stay at Nantes some time longer, I enclose some Letters receiv’d here for you. [ In the margin : I shall enclose the mention’d Letters in one by Mr. Lee.] I think a Connection with...
4750From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 23 November 1748 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Buffalo Historical Society I have just Time to acquaint you that yours per Cowie is this moment come to hand, with Mr. Read’s Account &c. I shall use my best Endeavours to get your Money, and am not without Hopes of Succeeding. I wrote you the 19th past, and sent a Power with the first of the enclos’d Certificates, which I hope will get safe to hand. You may depend on having the Ballance...