2311Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 17 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), pp. 94–7. The Assembly met on May 12 pursuant to its adjournment. They voted Franklin their thanks for his services to the army, resolved to defray the costs of the roads being built through Cumberland County to Wills Creek and the Monongahela, paid a few bills, replied to Governor Morris’...
2312From Benjamin Franklin to Robert Hunter Morris, [18 May? 1755] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Pennsylvania Archives , series I , II , 297. On May 10 General Braddock sent his assistant quartermaster general Matthew Leslie into Pennsylvania to buy oats, corn, and other forage, and wrote Governor Morris asking him to assist, especially with money. Leslie delivered the letter personally on May 16; the governor advanced £500 and sent Secretary Peters to...
2313Robert Hunter Morris to the Assembly Committee, 19 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I herewith send you a letter I received on fryday last from Genl. Braddock desiring my assistance to Mr. Leslie who he has sent into this Province to Purchase a quantity of oats for the use of the army under his command, part of which Mr. Leslie tells me he has given directions to contract for in the back countys. I cannot but think it will be for the...
2314Pennsylvania Assembly Committee to Robert Hunter Morris, 19 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The money put into the hands of the Committee of Assembly (to whom the Governor is pleas’d to direct his letter) for the purchase of Provisions and other necessaries for the service of the Kings Troops, is all laid out, and expended agreeable to the Trust reposed in them. And we have no Power over any other Publick money, nor can procure any, as the...
2315Israel Pemberton to John Fothergill, [19 May 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: American Philosophical Society The Light in which Friends here are represented on your Side of the Water is cause of painful Consideration to many of us; Some of our Friends in your City, were so kind by Capt. Messnard to send us two or three of those Scandalous Pamphlets which are stiled a State of the Province. It has justly alarmed all ranks of People here to find we have some...
2316To Benjamin Franklin from William Shirley, Junior, 20 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 175. May 20, 1755 A sentence from this unlocated letter is printed in the Pennsylvania Assembly’s reply, Sept. 29, 1755, to Governor Morris’ charge, September 24, that the Assembly had done little to support Braddock’s expedition (see below, p. 208).
2317To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Dunbar, 21 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1755–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 175. May 21, 1755 Two sentences from this unlocated letter are printed in the Pennsylvania Assembly’s reply, Sept. 29, 1755, to Governor Morris’ charge, September 24, that the Assembly had done little to support Braddock’s expedition (see below, pp. 208–9).
2318To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Hunter Morris, 21 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from extract in Stan V. Henkels, Catalogue No. 1256 (April 21, 1920), p. 16. I forget to tell you that if possible I would have the waggons set off with the forage on Tuesday or Wednesday next, … See above, p. 50. But note that the advertisement for wagons (see below, p. 59) said they should set out on Thursday, May 29.
2319From Benjamin Franklin to William Shirley, 22 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Archives Mr. Norris not being in Town, your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th Instant per Express, was delivered to me. I immediately conven’d the Committee, and communicated the Contents. In answer, they desire me to acquaint your Excellency with the State of the Provisions they have procured, which is as follows. They have purchased but 500 Barrels of Pork. It is all of the...
2320Advertisement for Wagons, 22 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , May. 22, 1755 Forty-One Waggons are immediately wanted, to carry each a Load of Oats and Indian-Corn from Philadelphia to Wills’s Creek, for which they are to be paid at their Return Twelve Pounds each Waggon. Protections and Passes will be given the Waggoners by Authority of the General, to prevent their being impressed, or detained after Delivery of...
2321To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Peter Halkett, 23 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), pp. 175–6. May 23, 1755 Two sentences from this unlocated letter are quoted in the Pennsylvania Assembly’s reply, Sept. 29, 1755, to Governor Morris’ charge, September 24, that the Assembly had done little to support Braddock’s expedition (see below, p. 209). Sir Peter...
2322From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Shippen, 24 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress In addition to supplying wagons Franklin contributed to Braddock’s campaign by helping to organize the construction of a road between army headquarters at Fort Cumberland on Wills Creek and the Pennsylvania back settlements. In March 1755 at Sir John St. Clair’s behest, Governor Morris appointed James Burd and four other commissioners to survey a route westward from...
2323Pennsylvania Hospital Cornerstone Inscription, [28 May 1755] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Pennsylvania Hospital By midsummer of 1754 the Hospital’s resources were sufficient to allow the Managers to plan for a building. A lot was purchased, September 11. Plans drafted by Samuel Rhoads, one of the Managers, providing that one third of the projected building should be erected at this time, were presented on January 25; and on March 10 these plans and estimates were approved by...
2324To——, 29 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
LS and draft minutes: Yale University Library The Committee hereby acquaint you that the House have resolved to defray the Expence of the cutting of the Roads requird, so that you may go on with that Affair freely. If there should come any orders to you from the Generall for wheat, the Committee desire you would send him any quantity he desires of that which was bought for the Publick above...
2325From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Shippen, 29 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Princeton University Library The Committee have just ordered 100 Dollars into the Hands of the Governor to be sent to you for Advance Money to such Labourers as need it, going to Work on the Road. My Compliments (not now to your Fire Side, but) to your cool Parlour. With much Respect, I am, Sir, Your most obedient Servant We purpose to send 60 Waggon Load of Forage next Week to the Camp....
2326To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Braddock, 29 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 175. May 29, 1755 A sentence from this unlocated letter was quoted in the Pennsylvania Assembly’s reply, Sept. 29, 1755, to Governor Morris’ charge, September 24, that the Assembly had done little to support Braddock’s expedition (see below, p. 208). Doubtless this was...
2327Pass for John Bickner and John Myfeld, 30 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : American Philosophical Society Persons volunteering to work on the military road in Cumberland County (see above, p. 60) received passes for their journey. Five signed by Franklin have been located. The earliest, that to Bickner and Myfeld, May 30, is printed here. The others were issued to the following: Frederick Mutzenstein, May 31. ADS : Harvard College Library Michael Christian and...
2328From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Shippen, 2 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : G. Willing Pepper, Philadelphia (1956) I am sorry it so happened that you had no Money put into your Hands for the Affair of the New Road; for Laverty and Coleman’s Return for want of a little Assistance, will, I am afraid, discourage many that intended to go. The Committee, on Sight of your Letter to the Governor, ordered 100 Dollars into his Hands to be sent to you, which I hope you...
2329From Benjamin Franklin to Daniel Fisher, [4 June 1755] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, XVII (1893), 271. Mr. Franklin’s compliments to Mr. Fisher and desires the favor of his Company to drink Tea at 5 o’clock this afternoon. Daniel Fisher ( fl . 1720–1755) visited America in 1722, returned to England, but came back, settling with his family at Williamsburg, Va., 1750. He came to Philadelphia in May...
2330From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, 5 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Stanford University Library I sent Mr. Burd’s Letter and yours which were given me by the Speaker yesterday, to Mr. Fox, who lives nearest to me of any of the Members of Assembly. I am not well enough to go about the Town in this extreme hot weather; but some of the Members having been kind enough to visit me, I find they are of Opinion that the Application to them is quite improper. As...
2331To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Timothy, 8 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society ’Tis almost an Age since I have a Letter from you: I have however received 56 Reams of Demy Paper by Capt. McFunn, with a Promise of a State of my Account at your Return from Maryland, which must again beg you’ll let me have. Your Application to the Study of the Electrical Arcana, and public Affairs, I make no Doubt, very often prevents your Writing; but I...
2332Oaths of Trustees and Officers of the College, [10 June 1755] (Franklin Papers)
DS : University of Pennsylvania Archives I A.B. do sincerely promise and swear, That I will be faithful and bear true Allegiance to his Majesty King George the second. So help me God. I A.B. do swear, That I do from my Heart abhor, detest and abjure, as impious and heretical, that damnable Doctrine and Position, That Princes excommunicated or deprived by the Pope, or any Authority of the See...
2333From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Norris, 12 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania June 12th 1755 pd £100. 0. 0 Cash 50. 0. 0 Notes £150. 0. 0. Please to send me One hundred and Fifty Pounds on Account of the Committee. It should be Paper Money, as it is to go up to Mr. James Wright: and Paper will be the best Carriage. Some of it may be in the new Bills. The Post goes in an Hour. Let Jemmy bring it, if you please, as my Niece can...
2334Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 16 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives, 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 101. Calling on the neighboring colonies for supplies, General Braddock, who was about to begin his march westward from Fort Cumberland, asked Governor Morris on May 24, 1755, to forward “with all Diligence” Pennsylvania’s share of the artillery, ammunition, stores, and provisions he would need...
2335To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Jackson, [17 June 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 329–41; also copy (incomplete): American Philosophical Society. It is now near three years since I received your excellent Observations on the Increase of Mankind, &c . in which you have with so much sagacity and accuracy shewn in what manner, and by what causes, that principal means of political...
2336Preamble for a Bill, [18 June 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania On April 2 the Assembly had voted £15,000 from funds of the General Loan Office to repay money borrowed for victualling Braddock’s troops and provisioning the proposed expedition against Crown Point. By the middle of June these funds were practically exhausted and additional sums appeared to be necessary for these and other military expenditures....
2337From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 26 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library Mr. Bartram brings a Box to my House, which has a little Vacancy in it; so I put in my Philosophical Pacquet, which I long since intended to send you, but one thing or other has prevented. I would not have any Part of it printed, (unless you should think that printing the Papers relating to Whirlwinds and Water Spouts, together with a Collection of all the...
2338From Benjamin Franklin to James Wright, 26 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: John L.W. Mifflin, Middlebush, N.J. (1955) I am glad to learn that the Flour is mostly if not all got up to Conegocheeg, and that you have so good a Prospect of getting Waggons to forward it to Wills’s Creek. The Governor has sent down the Bill and proposes to pass it with about 30 Amendments, of which one is that the Commissioners named in the Act to dispose of the £5000 for...
2339Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 27 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives, 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 110. The Power of calling the Assembly together whenever the Publick Service requires it, in the intermediate Times of their Adjournments, we presume is, and ought to be, lodged in the Governor of this Province; and we do not recollect any Instance in which it has been either disputed or...
2340To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Brooke, 27 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I embrace this first Opportunity that hath presented itself to return You my thanks for the very polite and Hospitable Entertaintment I met with from You when I was at Philadelphia last Year, and have deferrd it till now, that the only Subject of my Letter might not be an acknowledgment of Your Civilities, which, I believe You had rather perform than be...
2341To Benjamin Franklin from Catharine Ray, 28 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Excues my writeing when I tell you it is the great regard I have for you will not let me be Silent, for Absence rather increasis than lesens my affections then, my not receiveing one line from you in answer to 3 of my last letters March the 3d and 31st and April the 28th gives me a Vast deal of uneasiness and occation’d many tears, for Suerly I have wrote...
2342From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas-François Dalibard, 29 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Copy (extract): The Royal Society; printed (in full) in Benjamin Franklin, Expériences et Observations sur l’Electricité faites à Philadelphie en Amérique , Thomas-François Dalibard, trans. (2d edit., 2 vols., Paris, 1756), II , 307–19. Peter Collinson presented the scientific portions of this letter to the Royal Society on Dec. 18, 1755; it was printed in the Philosophical Transactions, and...
2343From Benjamin Franklin to James Wright, 3 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Before this reaches you, you will have heard that the House is adjourn’d. A Bill to strike £10,000 Exchange Money is pass’d, and nothing else done. I spoke several Times to the Speaker and Committee, about sending you some Money by the Return of the Members; but Mr. M’Conaughy slipt away without Leave, and so without their Knowledge; and afterwards the Business...
2344To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 9 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy (incomplete): Massachusetts Historical Society [ Missing ] therefore take the Freedom of desiring you to deliver him the Inclosed and to shew him your wonted Civility with the Curiosities of your City. My Compliments wait on Madam Franklin and I am, Sir Your assured Friend and Servant. The “Inclosed” was undoubtedly a letter to Jonathan Belcher, Jr. (1710–1776), who was...
2345From Benjamin Franklin to Ezra Stiles, 10 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library This is only to acknowledge the Receipt of three very agreable Letters from you, and to promise an Answer as soon as I have a little got thro’ a Hurry of Business, that beats every philosophical Thought out of my Head. As you are on the Study of Magnetism, I send you herewith a Work of the greatest Master of Practical Magnetics that has appear’d in any Age. With...
2346Rules and Statutes of the College, Academy, and Charity School; Laws and Statutes of the Trustees, 11 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS Minutes: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania The trustees of the College of Philadelphia on June 10 (see above, p. 29) appointed Franklin and five others to examine and report on a draft of rules and statutes, probably prepared by Franklin himself, which had been submitted to the board for adoption. On July 11 Franklin reported as president that the committee had considered the draft...
2347To Benjamin Franklin from William Ferguson, [15 July? 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Historical Society of Pennsylvania General Edward Braddock and advance units of his army reached a point about nine miles from Fort Duquesne, July 9, when they ran into a force of French and Indians commanded by Capt. Daniel Liénard de Beaujeau. In the three-hour engagement that followed the British were utterly defeated. Braddock was mortally wounded (he died on the 13th) and more...
2348Franklin and Hall: Notice to Subscribers, 17 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , July. 17, 1755. Whereas an advertisement was published sometime ago by the subscribers hereof, desiring those who were indebted to them for more than one year’s Gazette to discharge the same, of which little or no notice has been taken, but many continue a great number of years in arrear; this may therefore serve to let such know, that if they do not...
2349To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 21 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Massachusetts Historical Society I have your obliging Favour of the 14: Instant: and thank you for your intended Civility to my Son if he shoud pass in his way from Halifax thro’ your City—but by a Letter I received from him yesterday of the 1: of this Month, the Motions and Commotions at Halifax are so great that he seems uncertain when and whither he shall make his Rout. The...
2350To Benjamin Franklin from William Daniell, [21?] July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I shall be oblidg’d to you for letting me know what the Paper I have had from you Comes to also to make up the Quantity 100 Reams. Pray let me know as Soon as possible about your Supplying me constantly as I am obligated to wait your answer persuant to your Desire. I am, Sir Your Most humble Servant Inclos’d I send you Some News Papers. Addressed: To /...
2351To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Belcher, 23 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Massachusetts Historical Society Altho’ I wrote you 21: Current yet I am to ask your Pardon for the Trouble of this which is to pray you to forward by the first Opportunity to my Son at Halifax my Letter now lying in your hands together with the inclosed which will oblige, Sir, Your ready Friend and Servant. See above, p. 110. The one referred to in Belcher’s letter, July 9...
2352Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 28 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives, 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 117. Col. Thomas Dunbar, commander of Braddock’s army after the defeat on the Monongahela, decided to withdraw his demoralized troops instead of making a new attack from Fort Cumberland, and on July 16 informed Governor Morris that he planned to bring two regiments into winter quarters at...
2353From Benjamin Franklin to Daniel Fisher, 28 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , XVII (1893), 275–6. Till our new building is finished, which I hope will be in two or three weeks, I have no room to accommodate a clerk. But it is my intention to have one, though my business is so small that I cannot afford to give more than I have always given, Viz.: Diet at my own Table, with Lodging and...
2354Alexander Colden to James Parker, 28 July 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Archives By the Phi: Post received the Inclosed from Mr. Franklin which he desired me to forward to you and to desire you to forward it imediately by this post to Mr. Chew requesting him to forward it to Mr. Franklin at Boston. He writes “the Substance of the letter may be printed but not entire as we have not the Governors leave to whom it was directed. At least the...
2355A Parable against Persecution, [July 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Miss Ailsa Joan Mary Dick-Cunyngham, Prestonfield House, Edinburgh (1955) Written in the style of the King James Version of the Bible, the Parable against Persecution was one of Franklin’s pleasantest hoaxes, affording him and his friends much amusement. He wrote it at least as early as the summer of 1755 and took copies of it and other ephemeral pieces to England when he went over two...
2356A Parable on Brotherly Love, [July 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society; also copy: Liverpool Record Office In a letter to Benjamin Vaughan, Nov. 2, 1789, Franklin discussed his “Chapter of Abraham and the Stranger” (see immediately above) and then went on to say: “When I wrote that in the form you now have it, I wrote also another, the hint of which was also taken from an ancient Jewish tradition; but, not having the same...
2357From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, [c. 1 August 1755] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The House is not yet together: But the Speaker and a Number of the Members are of Opinion that a Common Messenger will be sufficient to carry the Letters; and are not inclin’d that any Gentlemen should be charg’d with them in Behalf of the Publick. They hope the Colonel does not mean to come to Philadelphia but only into this Province, to be near the...
2358Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 5 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 121. Meeting on July 25 after receiving news of Braddock’s defeat, the Assembly resolved that £50,000 be granted for defense of the province and that a committee of the whole consider ways and means of raising it. Following adoption on the 29th of resolves to tax “all Estates, Real and...
2359Pennsylvania Assembly: Reply to the Governor, 8 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), pp. 123–6. Governor Morris responded on August 6 to the Assembly’s message of the day before, and the Assembly appointed a committee of eight, including Franklin and four other members of the last committee, to prepare a reply. It was reported and approved the next day and sent to the governor on...
2360From Benjamin Franklin to William Johnson, 11 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Antiquarian Society I received your Favour of the 1st Instant, and have forwarded the Letter to Capt. Orme. Mr. Pownall is gone to New York, and I return his Letter per this Day’s Post. I shall acquaint the Governor, as you desire, that the Records of your Proceedings are with Mr. Banyar. Our Assembly have sent up a Bill to give £50,000 to the King’s Use, of which part might be...