651From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 15 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Inclosed I Send you the Commissions desired for the Black Prince and The Black Princess. You will be so good as to fill up the Blanks properly and take the Bonds from the Parties, of which I Send one only, not having time to copy it: but that may be done with you for the other Vessel. I have the honour to be Sir &c. Clark believes that BF sent new commissions rather...
652The American Commissioners to Francis Coffyn, 26 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, June 26, 1778: We have your letters of the 18th and 19th, referring to an earlier one about a surgeon’s bill. Give the surgeon what you think fair, after making the deduction mentioned. We thank you for your news, and approve sending intelligence to America by every opportunity. The seamen you speak of should...
653The American Commissioners to Francis Coffyn, 13 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, July 13, 1778: Capt. Amiel brought us this morning two letters from you enclosing testimonials to your good character. We had no doubt of it, and your trouble was unnecessary. A letter, it is true, did say that you were “somewhat too busy, in some particular matters,” but this did not prejudice us against you....
654From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 12 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I have received several Letters lately which you did me the honour of writing to me, containing Receipts of escaped American Prisoners for the Sums with which you had furnish’d them. I am much oblig’d by the continued kind Care you have shown to our People on these Occasions, and shall pay the Bill you mention as soon as it appears. You will send me...
655From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 2 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly your Letter of the 23d. Feby. 1782. inclosing divers Rects. of Americans to whom you have given assistance; & approuve the Same, and have this Day accepted your Draft for 1500 Livres at 10. Days date in favr. of Messrs. Vandenivers, for which you will Credit my Acct. I Suspect Mrs. Fitzpatrick to be an impostor. With a Sincere regard, I am, Sir, Your...
656From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 13 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received your several Favours of Dec. 15 & 27. I thank you much for the timely News you sent me of the English Declaration of War against Holland. I believe that tho’ they may make some present Profit by so unjust a Proceeding, they will in time have great Cause to repent of it. Mr Wharton was still in France when you wrote to me concerning him,...
657From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 2 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 17. past and thank you for your kind Congratulations. It will undoubtedly be best to forward all the Prisoners as fast as they arrive, to some Port used by American Ships, and this if possible by Sea, their Land Journies to Paris and thence to Nantes being very expensive. You will settle Mr Fitzgeralds Account according to Justice and draw upon...
658From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, [9 May 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress If one Nicolas Davis should come to Dunkirk, and Demand Assistances as an American in distress, I desire you not to give him anything, he having already defrauded us of great sums. I have the honour to be & In BF ’s letterbook the present letter immediately follows two letters dated May 9 and precedes one dated May 10.
659From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 8 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I duly received yours of the 30th. past, which I Should have answered sooner, but that I have been and still am at a Loss what to do as to the Condemnation of the Prizes you mention. In the Commission given to our armed Vessels, they are directed to submit The prizes they may carry into any foreign Port, to the judgment of the Courts of admiralty there establish’d and...
660From Benjamin Franklin to John Torris and Francis Coffyn, 18 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letters you did me the honour of writing to me the 20th. of May and The 8th. Instant. I did not immediately forbid Capt. Merchant’s intercepting the Dover Pacquets supposing that if they were protected by this Governement, he would, on their showing him their Passports, discharge them, and if not protected there would be nothing improper in taking...
661From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 10 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have no objection to the taking the Parole of the Captains or Officers on Condition of the Security you mention. But as the Prisoners taken by arm’d Vessels under our Colours are by giving me a means of exchanging so many of our Country men some satisfaction to me for the Trouble these Vessels occasion me in examining all the Proces Verbaux , making out the...
662From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 4 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Sixteen French Sailors who belonged to Cap. Cunningham having been exhanged by the Last Cartel as Americans after an Imprisonnement of near two years, are now on their Way to Dunkirk. As I am quite unacquainted with the affairs of that Ship which were managed between Mr. Deane and M. Hodge, I can say nothing to any Claims made by the People on her Account. Whatever...
663From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Coffyn, 13 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Yours of the 5th. Instant is now before me. I hope the Correspondence between us, as it will henceforth be in one hand, may be carried on with more punctuality than heretofore. I approve of what you have done for our Prisoners, and desire you to continue that Service. Those now with you may be forwarded to Orient, where they will be received on board one of our...
664From Benjamin Franklin to Daniel Lathrop Coit, 14 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Printed invitation with MS insertions: Johns Hopkins University Library Dr. Franklin requests the honour of Mr. Coit’s Company at Dinner on Sunday the 18. Inst The favour of an Answer is desired. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Coit. chez / Mr. Carter / Hotel d’Angleterre / Rue des Filles St Thomas. Endorsed: Doctr. Franklin’s Billet to Dine Daniel Lathrop Coit (1754–1833), a merchant of...
665From Benjamin Franklin to Wheeler Coit, 11 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours dated april 15. directed to the Commissioners and enclosing two Bils of Exchange N. 161 for 60. and N. 494 for 36 Dollars, being both Third Bills. The last viz, that for 36. Dollars will be paid but it ought to be endors’d Elisabeth Brown. The other for 60. Dollars has been paid; those mentioned in your Postcript as Sent by Messrs. Sterry and Murry I...
666From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Colden, 2 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I receiv’d yours of Dec. 2. enclosing a Bill Hancock on Haley & Hopkins for £150 for Account of the Gen. Post-Office. Inclos’d I return you the Bill, Dunn on Long, Drake and Long, for £100 Sterling, with the Protest which costs 5 s. 9 d. I hope you are careful to give me Credit for these Protested Bills. I sent you two per last Packet, and one by...
667From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Colden, 3 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress Inclos’d I return to you Mackie’s Bill on Molleson for £294. 5 s. 2 d. with a Protest; the same being refus’d Payment for want of Effects. The Packet of last Month is not yet arriv’d. I hope she will bring the Accounts so long expected. I am, Dear Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant See above, BF to Colden, Oct. 7; Mary Hewson to BF , Oct. 22. BF...
668From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Colden, 1 September 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress <London, September 1, 1773: Has received Colden’s of July 7, enclosing Archimedes Georges on Curtis & Lowell for £113 and Norris Goddard on Anthony Todd for £69. Is glad to hear that Colden and his family are well.>
669From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Colden, 3 August 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress <West Wycomb, at Lord Le Despencer’s, August 3, 1773: Has received Colden’s of June 2 enclosing seconds of “sundry Bills acknowledg’d in my last” and the first of Willing & Morris on Harris & Co. for £15. Encloses Ogle’s protested bill on Anderson for £83 10 s. 3 d. , which with charges totals £83 16 s. Compliments to Mrs. Colden.> See the letter BF...
670From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Colden, 7 October 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress <London, October 7, 1772. Has acknowledged in previous letters the receipt of bills amounting to £372 10 s. and another of £56 12 s. 5½ d. ; has since received three totaling £328 2 s. 3 d. , one of Mackie on Molleson and two of Carr on James Russell, and by the last packet, with Colden’s letter of September 3, four more: Boylstone on Lane, Son &...
671From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Colden, 6 January 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress <London, January 6, 1773. Returns two protested bills, Zeph[aniah] Turner on Barnes & Ridgate for £72 7 s. 5 d. and William Taylor on Perkins, Buchanan & Brown for £15; the charges on each are 5 s. 9 d. Asks to have the bills acknowledged and to be credited with £87 18 s. 11 d. > See above, XIX , 398.
672From Benjamin Franklin to [Alexander] Colden, 8 April 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I have ordered into your Care from Liverpool 9 Casks and a Bale, which I request you would receive and forward to my Brother Peter Franklin, in Newport, Rhodeisland. Enclos’d is the Bill of Lading. Please to pay the Freight (Eight Guineas) and charge me with it. I hope this Summer to have the Pleasure of seeing you, and of finding both the Families well...
673From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Colden, 7 April 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress <London, April 7, 1773: Has just received the accounts, but has not had time to examine them. Has also received Christie on Molleson for £338 17 s. 2 d. , and the papers for Mr. Jesser. Will write by the next packet to Colden and also to Foxcroft, to whom his affectionate respects.> The amended accounts for 1771–72 that BF had demanded in December:...
674From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Colden, 2 June 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received yours of April 7. inclosing Coningham and Nesbit’s Bill on D. Harvey & Co for £200 with which your Account is credited. In my last I acknowledged the Receipt of Christie’s renew’d Bill for £338 17 s. 2½ d. I am glad the last Years Accounts are to come by the next Packet, for then we shall have the whole settled and pass’d together, there...
675From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Colden, 2 December 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I duly received yours of Oct. 10. with the Accounts, accompanied by Bills of Exchange as follows, Walker on Cunningham for £82 11 s. 5½ d. R N. Colden on Meyrick for 400 0 s. 0 d. These from you as your Ballance 482 11 s. 5½
676From 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.”>
677From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 11 October 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I have learnt by different hands, that Dr. Mitchel continues in a bad State of Health, which I suppose obliges him to drop his Correspondencies. ’Tis a Loss to us all. Messrs. Bertram and Evans did not go their intended Journey to Lake Erie, but are both safe at home. Mr. Weiser is just return’d from Onondago, and gives a melancholly Account of the declining...
678From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 26 February 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society; draft (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Your Favour of the 14th. Instant, I met on the Road in my Journey to this Place with my Son, who joins with me in Thanks for your good Wishes relating to his Administration here. I thank you also for your kind Endeavours in obtaining the Discharge of William Forrester, who is accordingly discharged. I condole...
679From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 6 December 1753 (Franklin Papers)
Letter: ALS : New-York Historical Socity; enclosure: draft: American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your Favour of the 29th past, with some Remarks on my meteorological Paper, for which I thank you, and return some Observations on those Remarks, hoping by this Friendly Intercourse of Sentiments and Objections, some Advantage will arise to the Increase of true Knowledge. I sent you our Treaty...
680From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 10 July 1746 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I have your Favours of June 2d. and the 7th Instant. I thank you for your little Treatise. I have interleav’d it, and am Reading it and Making Remarks as Time permits. I deliver’d one, as you directed, to Mr. Evans; another to Mr. Bertram. The former declares he cannot understand it; the latter told me the other Day, that he could not read it with the...
681From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 13 August 1747 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I am glad the electrical Observations please you. I leave them in your hands another Week. Our Workmen have undertaken the Electrical Apparatus, and I believe will do it extreamly well: It being a new Job they cannot say exactly what their Work will come to, but they will charge reasonably when done, and they find what Time it has taken. I suppose the whole...
682From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 4 November 1743 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society; also transcript: Library of Congress I received the Favour of yours, with the Proposal for a new Method of Printing, which I am much pleased with: and since you express some Confidence in my Opinion, I shall consider it very attentively and particularly, and in a Post or two send you some Observations on every Article. My long Absence from home in the Summer,...
683From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 12 April 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I received your Favour of March 20. and a subsequent one without Date, containing the Description of Lord Macclesfield’s Mural Quadrant. No Vessel has sail’d hence for England these three Months, but one goes next Week by which I shall send your Answer to the German Professor, corrected as you direct. I see it is not without Reluctance that the Europeans will...
684From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 6 August 1747 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society; draft: American Philosophical Society The Observations I sent you on Baxter’s Book were wrote on a Sheet or two of Paper in Folio. He builds his whole argument on the Vis Inertiae of Matter: I boldly deny’d the Being of such a Property, and endeavour’d to demonstrate the contrary. If I succeeded, all his Edifice falls of course, unless some other way...
685From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 27 August 1747 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library This just serves to enclose you a Letter from our Friend Bertram; and to request you would deliver my Papers on Electricity to the Bearer Mr. Darling. I have not Time to add, but that I am, with great Respect, Sir, Your most humble Servant P.S . I think you wrote me Word you had lent Watson’s Book on Electricity which I sent you last Winter to Dr. Bard. Please to...
686From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 28 June 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I wrote a Line to you last Post, and sent you some Electrical Observations and Experiments. You formerly had those Papers of mine out of which something has been taken by Mr. Watson, and inserted in the Transactions: If you have forgot the Contents of those Papers, I am afraid some Things in that I last sent you will be hardly understood, as they depend on...
687From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 23 April 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society; also draft: American Philosophical Society In considering your Favour of the 16th. past, I recollected my having wrote you Answers to some Queries concerning the Difference between Electrics per se, and Non Electrics, and the Effects of Air in Electrical Experiments, which I apprehend you may not have received. The Date I have forgot. We have been us’d to...
688From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 5 April 1744 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society; also transcript: Library of Congress Happening to be in this City about some particular Affairs, I have the Pleasure of receiving yours of the 28th past, here. And can now acquaint you, that the Society, as far as relates to Philadelphia, is actually formed, and has had several Meetings to mutual Satisfaction; assoon as I get home, I shall send you a short...
689From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 1 January 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I have your Favour of the 3d past, with your Son’s Remarks on the Abbé Nollet’s Letters. I think the Experiments and Observations are judiciously made, and so well express’d, that, with your and his Leave, I would transmit them to Mr. Collinson for Publication. I have repeated all the Abbé’s Experiments in Vacuo, and find them answer exactly as they should do...
690From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 14 May 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I find Parker has been indiscreet enough, to print a Piece in his Paper, which has brought him into a great deal of Trouble. I cannot conceive how he was prevail’d on to do it, as I know him to be a thorough Believer himself, and averse to every thing that is commonly called Freethinking. He is now much in his Penitentials, and requests me to intercede with...
691From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 25 October 1744 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I communicated your Piece on Fluxions to Mr. Logan, and being at his House a few Days after, he told me, he had read it cursorily, that he thought you had not fully hit the Matter, and ( I think ) that Berkley’s Objections were well founded: but said he would read it over more attentively. Since that, he tells me there are several Mistakes in it, two of which...
692From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 25 October 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society This last Summer I have enjoy’d very little of the Pleasure of Reading or Writing. I made a long Journey to the Eastward, which consum’d 10 Weeks; and two Journeys to our Western Frontier: One of them to meet and hold a Treaty with the Ohio Indians, in Company with Mr. Peters and Mr. Norris. I shall send you a Copy of the Treaty as soon as ’tis printed. I...
693From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 5 June 1747 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society Mr. Harrison tells me you are still in New York, as deeply engag’d in Publick Affairs, I suppose, as ever. When I consider your present Disposition to Retirement and Philosophical Meditation, I pity you: But I hope that Success will attend your Cares for the Publick Good; and the Satisfaction arising thence will make you some Amends. The Deserters who are come...
694From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, [February 1746] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I receiv’d yours with others enclos’d for Mr. Bertram and Mr. Armit, to which I suppose the enclos’d are Answers. The Person who brought yours said he would call for Answers, but did not; or, if he did, I did not see him. I understand Parker has begun upon your Piece. A long Sitting of our Assembly has hitherto hinder’d me from beginning the Miscellany. I...
695From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 28 February 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I return you herewith Professor Kanster’s Remarks. As far as I am able to judge, the Translation is just, and your Answer a good one. I am pleas’d with the Omission of that part of a Paragraph relating to the German and Pensilvanian Electricians, and have corrected the Copy as you direct. I have but one other Alteration to propose, which is, to omit some Part...
696From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 16 October 1746 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I have receiv’d your Favour of the 13th. Instant, and am glad to hear you are return’d well from Albany, which I understand has been a very sickly Place this Fall. I did not imagine you would have been detain’d there so long, or I should have done my self the Pleasure of writing to you by my Son. Our Interpreter Mr. Weiser is return’d. He tells me that as soon...
697From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 21 July 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I wrote a Line to you from your Landing, promising to send you a Copy of the Plan of Union, which I now enclose. We had a great deal of Disputation about it, almost every Article being contested by one or another; but at length we agreed on it pretty unanimously; and Copies are ordered for the several Governments: How they will relish it, or how it will be...
698From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 13 February 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I receiv’d your very kind Letter relating to my Proposals for the Education of our Youth, and return you the Thanks of the Gentlemen concern’d, for the useful Hints you have favour’d us with. It was long doubtful whether the Academy would be fix’d in the Town or Country; but a Majority of those from whose generous Subscriptions we expected to be able to...
699From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 27 January 1748 (Franklin Papers)
AL : New-York Historical Society I received your Favour relating to the Cannon. We have petitioned our Proprietors for some, and have besides wrote absolutely to London for a Quantity, in case the Application to the Proprietors should not succeed; so that, Accidents excepted, we are sure of being supply’d some time next Summer. But as we are extreamly desirous of having some mounted early in...
700From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 30 July 1747 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I receiv’d your Favour of the 26th. which I shall answer at large per next Post. In the mean time please to send me, if you have it with you, my Paper of Observations on Baxter’s Book, which I want to make some present Use of, and have no other Copy. Mesnard sail’d this Day for London. But here is a Vessel bound to Bristol, which the next Post will reach. In haste...