4701From Benjamin Franklin to John Bartram, 17 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received your kind Letter of April 29. wherein you complain of your Friends here not writing to you. I had written a Letter to you on the 20th. of the same Month per Osborne, which I hope is long since got to hand; but I confess I ought to have written sooner, to acknowledge the Receipt of the Box of Seeds, whereby I was much obliged. As to your Pension, there...
4702From Benjamin Franklin to Ebenezer Kinnersley, 17 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I was much oblig’d by your Account of the Effect of the Lightning on Mr. Holder’s House. It will be in the Transactions here. I wonder it is not to be found in yours. Those here who aimed at obtaining a very great Electric Force, have been much discouraged by the Breaking of the Bottles that compos’d their Batteries. A Gentleman of my Acquaintance lost...
4703From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 17 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received your kind Letter of May 10. You seem so sensible of your Error in so hastily suspecting me, that I am now in my turn sorry I took Notice of it. Let us then suppose that Accompt ballanced and settled, and think no more of it. In some former Letter I believe I mention’d the Price of the Books, which I have now forgotten: But I think it was 3...
4704From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwalader Evans, 18 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Samuel Hazard, ed., Hazard’s Register of Pennsylvania , XVI , No. 5 (August 1, 1835), 92–3. I wrote to you of the 4th instant per Gill, and sent you a Paper of Observations on your Specimens of Silk drawn up by Mr. Patterson, who is noted here in that Trade, with a Specimen of Italian Silk as a copy for our People to imitate. But they must not be discouraged if they should not...
4705To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cushing, 20 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society At the desire of the Committee of the House of Representatives I now transmitt you a Copy of the Commissioners Taxes in the Towns of Dorchester, Roxbury, and Brooklyn for the years they respectively resided in those towns certified by the Assessors of the Several Towns aforementioned. I am with respect Your most humble Servant See the House Committee to BF...
4706From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Shipley, 25 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society I should have been happy in accompanying your Lordship on that agreable Party, or in being at Twyford instead of this dusty Town; but Business kept me here longer than I expected. I now purpose to set out on Tuesday next, if nothing at present unforeseen does not happen to prevent me. I hope to find the good Family well, which will add greatly to the...
4707To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 25 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sent the two Clocks on Tuesday last by Clark; to the Bell in Wood Street, Directed for you in Craven Street, the Strand. I hope they will please and Come Safe to hand. I have been So much out, I could not Engrave the Plates, and therefore Chose to Send them in the State they are In rather than keep them longer. Mr. Tompson Engraver in red lyon Street...
4708To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Jackson, [27 July? 1771] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Does it suit you to go to Ireland with me in a week, a fortnight, or three weeks? I am sorry you leave London so soon, fearing as I do I may chance to miss seeing you. I wish much to hear from you a few of the Particulars you have heard of the Voyage of the Endeavour and of the Observations of the Passengers. I will try to see you before you leave London,...
4709Complaints of William Hunter against William Hewson, [July? 1771] (Franklin Papers)
AD (in Franklin’s hand): American Philosophical Society In the autumn of 1762 William Hewson, Polly Stevenson’s husband-to-be, entered into partnership with Dr. William Hunter, the famous anatomist, to give lectures and demonstrations to medical students. In 1769 Hunter finished building a new house in Great Windmill Street, where Hewson had a small apartment; the two now shared equally in the...
4710From Benjamin Franklin to James Read, [before 1 August 1771] (Franklin Papers)
Extract : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The most friendly Advice I can give you, is, to begin paying the Debt immediately, tho’ in ever so small Sums. This will show an honest Disposition, and may in time compleat the whole. If you would stand fair in the Opinion of your Friends, and cannot pay the Principal, pay at least the Interest as it arises. BF ’s old friend and neighbor, who...
4711To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 1 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your favour, and have sent the Account of the Clocks underneath. The other Clock which you was so kind to order is in hand and will soon be compleated. I found it necessary to depart from Mr. Fergusons Plans, for the sake of greater simplicity. The moons southing, and time of high water, ought to be as visible as the time pointed out by the...
4712To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 3 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am just return’d from Philadelphia, where I have been for some Days with Betsy, in order to see her Brother Downes and his Wife and Daughter who arrived there last Sunday from Barbados. He is in a very bad State of Health, and we have brought him Home with us that he might be out of the Heat of Philada. On my Return I found your Letter of the 5th. of...
4713To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 5 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I now enclose you the first per Exchange for one Hundred Pounds Sterling Drawn by Thos. Symmes on Messrs. Gardoqué & Sons merchants in Bilboa, payable in London, I Remitted you two hundred and Ninty Pounds before this in the Whole £390 to Reimburse the money you Were So Good to advance my Sons. I Shall allways Retain a greatfull Sence of your Generosity and...
4714To Benjamin Franklin from Alexander Colden, 6 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The 2d of last Month I wrote you by the Packet in Answer to yours of the first of May. I have since made strict search for Mr. Jessers letter but can’t find it. By order of Mr. Foxcroft Inclosed I send you the second set of those Bills, he sent last Packet. Mr. Foxcroft and Lady are both at Boston and in good health the last Letter [ torn: I had from?] him....
4715To Benjamin Franklin from William Small, 10 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress The reason of your having no sooner received the Quotation from Celsus is, that I wished to employ my very first leisure in looking in several other ancient books for passages to the same purpose, and to send you all together. But Mr. Keir having told me of your desire to see that immediately, you have it almost alone. In the article de Tabe in his third book,...
4716From Benjamin Franklin to Anna Mordaunt Shipley, 13 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library It has been well said of this letter that “nothing in all Franklin’s writings better reveals why he was always such a favorite with young people.” This is just to let you know that we arriv’d safe and well in Marlborough Street about Six, where I deliver’d up my Charge. The above seems too short for a Letter; so I will lengthen it by a little Account of our...
4717To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 13 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have sent You my Letters to the Primate and Mr. Jackson, which I will beg the favour of You to get conveyd to them even if You should not have an opportunity of calling upon them. Mrs. Shipley and her Daughters join with me in much more than Compliments, and in most sincerely regretting the Loss of You. We join too in wishing that after your Return it may...
4718From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 14 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society I received yours of June 29. per Packet. I am glad to hear of all your Welfares, and that the Pictures, &c. were safe arrived. You do not tell me who mounted the great one, nor where you have hung it up. Let me know whether Dr. Bond likes the new one better than the old one; if so, the old one is to be return’d hither to Mr. Wilson, the Painter....
4719From Benjamin Franklin to John Canton, 15 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : the Royal Society I have just received the enclos’d from Dr. Priestly. And as it contains an Account of a new Discovery of his, which is very curious, and, if it holds, will open a new Field of Knowledge, I send it to you immediately. Please to communicate it to Dr. Price when he returns. I am just about taking a Trip for a few Weeks to Ireland. I hope I shall find you well at my Return....
4720From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Shipley, 15 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Many Thanks for your Letters to the Primate and Mr. Jackson; which I shall take care to forward if I should happen not to have an Opportunity of delivering them personally. Your repeated kind Invitations are extreamly obliging. The Enjoyment of your Lordship’s Conversation, good Mrs. Shipley’s kind Care of me sick and well, and the ever-pleasing Countenances of...
4721From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 17 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you some time since to go by Capt. Falconer, but he is still here. I have since written to you per Packet. And now write this Line to let you know I continue pretty well, but find more Exercise necessary to preserve my Health, and therefore am about to make the Tour of Ireland with my old Friend Mr. Jackson, purposing to return thro’ Scotland,...
4722From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Shipley, 19 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library By the Southampton Coach, I have sent your Lordship the Book of State Trials, which would have been sent sooner but that I hoped to send the Northumberland Book with it. I have search’d and enquir’d among my Friends for that Book, and cannot find it. I suppose I have lent it, and do not yet recollect to whom. I din’d on Sunday last at Sir John Pringle’s with...
4723William Hunter’s Stipulations in Regard to William Hewson, 23 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
AD : extract from Franklin to William Hunter, October 30, 1772 , Royal College of Surgeons Dr. Hunter expects Mr. Hewson should go on with his Business as usual during the Remainder of the Term they are to continue together; and during that time should make Preparations, at Dr. Hunter’s Expence, such as the Dr. should direct to be made, and others, so that those directed are not neglected or...
4724To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 23 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): British Museum Tho I wrote you not long since by Mr. Lane, yet Commodore Gambier telling me He shall take Pleasure in bringing you a Letter; I cannot forbear mentioning the Obligations we are under to this Gentleman in his Department as Commander of the Ships station’d here. Ever attentive to the Kings Service He has enterd into no Parties; He has treated with great Humanity and...
4725From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 25 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin ... (Boston, 1833), p. 142. I have received yours of July 8th and 12th, with the bills, which are carried to your credit. I hope your son Jonathan may be with you by this time. Josiah is well, and sticks close to his business. I have not time to add more, being this minute...
4726Introduction 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...
4727To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, [3 September? 1771]: incomplete (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society [ Beginning lost: ] Allen and Turner procured any Information to be given me, that the People would rise and destroy all their Iron Works in New-Jersey; that Mr. Turner had mentioned the Matter to him, and that upon his telling Turner that it was a Machine not within the Law, he laugh’d, and said that he knew very well what it was, and that if...
4728To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 19 September 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your favour of the 10th of June I duly received note the Contents. When I wrote you of receiving the Money of Hall in august I thought I might depend upon it as I not only had his Promise, but a mighty good Character of him from some Gentlemen Who Were aquainted With him. I have Since inquir’d into the Circomstances of the Bondsman Edward Thurston Junior....
4729Questions about Ireland, [September? 1771] (Franklin Papers)
These questions reveal Franklin as the thoughtful tourist. He had long been interested in Ireland, but primarily in its relationship with the empire; on his first visit he clearly intended to examine its internal economy, which he viewed from a physiocratic, anti-mercantilist standpoint. His memorandum seems to be guidelines for his curiosity. The fact that he began it as questions relating...
4730To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cushing, 2 October 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be handed you by William Storey Esqr. who will deliver you the Votes of the last sessions of the General Court. He goes home to sollicit for releif from the Difficulty under which he at present labours; Natha. Wheelwright Esqr. during Mr. Storeys being Deputy Register in the Court of Admiralty had a Vessell and Cargo Seized and Condemned in said...
4731To Benjamin Franklin from John Holt, 2 October 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society An unhappy Difference has taken place between my Neighbour Mr. Hugh Hughs (a Man I greatly esteem from my Experience of the real Goodness of his Character) and his Brother John, and as I am perfectly acquainted with the whole Cause and Process of that Difference, and know that my Neighbour is desirous you should have a right Knowledge of it, as he highly...
4732To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Sr., 3 October 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Boston, October 3, 1771. Wrote a few days ago to enclose the third set of bills for 1,754 guilders. > See Williams to BF above, Sept. 19.
4733To Benjamin Franklin from Ann Clay, 4 October 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This comes with a letter from my son. I hope you will pardon the liberty I take in recommending his request to your notice; And shou’d he succeed I have no doubt of his good behavior, as the partiality of a parent wou’d not induce me to say that he is a sober discreet young Man did he not really merit it. I have now been a widow four years and am in such...
4734To Benjamin Franklin from William Henly: Account of an Experiment, 7 October 1771 (Franklin Papers)
AD (incomplete): American Philosophical Society; remainder printed in the Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions ..., LXIV (1774), 402–3 The experiment described below was part of a series that Henly undertook in 1771–72 to test Franklin’s theory about the path of the lightning discharge. The theory was under attack from Benjamin Wilson, who held that the discharge, given several...
4735To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 12 October 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Huntington Library By an Express from Philada. I hear that Sparks sails To Morrow, and being unwilling to let slip this Opportunity as I have done too many this Summer by being in the Country, I take up my Pen to inform you that I have your Certificate for £500 Sterling your Salary, and wo’d have remitted you the Money, had any Provision been made for the Payment of it. There being no...
4736To Benjamin Franklin from the Pennsylvania Assembly Committee of Correspondence, 16 October 1771 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress By Order of the House we inclose their Resolves appointing us their Committee of Correspondence, and you their Agent to transact the Affairs of this Province in Great Britain for the ensuing Year. The House have Nothing to add to the Instructions sent by former Assemblies except that as they observe from your Letter to the Speaker of the 29th of July, that there is a...
4737To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Timothy, 20 October 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you on the 28th past, but the Pilot having neglected to put my Letter on board the last Packet-Boat, it accompanies this. The Assembly have continued sitting longer than I thought they would have done. Last Week all the Patriots and principal Speakers , made themselves sure of carrying the £1500 into the Estimate, under the Expedient of including...
4738From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 27 October 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Princeton University Library Thro’ Storms and Floods I arrived here on Saturday night, late, and was lodg’d miserably at an Inn: But that excellent Christian David Hume, agreable to the Precepts of the Gospel, has received the Stranger , and I now live with him at his House in the new Town most happily. I purpose staying about a Fortnight, and shall be glad to hear from you. I...
4739To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 31 October 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Welcome! my dear and honour’d Friend! Welcome once more to our Island! The Wind may blow now without making our Hearts ake. You were constantly in our Thoughts during the late stormy Weather. I have pray’d for you at Midnight when I have been suckling my little Boy and heard the Window Sashes rattle. I thank God you are safe. The same merciful Being has...
4740To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, [late October? 1771] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Mother desires me to tell you that there are two Letters from New York and one from Philadelphia and three Packets of News Papers but she is afraid to send them as you have not receiv’d that Mr. Hewson sent you. I write in great Haste. We are all well. Yours affectionately The note might at first glance be dated at any time when BF was away from London...
4741To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 2 November 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Mother orders me to set down to answer all your Hows . The Hewsons young and old are well and thank you for your kind Enquiry. Your Dolly is well. I had a Letter from her to day from Bromley. Lady Barwell is well. Josiah when we heard of him, and Sally, and Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, I met them last Week at Barwell’s. All well. My Mother herself is grown...
4742To Benjamin Franklin from John Balfour, 5 November 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The friendship you showd me in transacting the Debt that was due to me by Benjamin Mecom (for which I reckon myself much oblidgd to you) embol[dens me] to ask the favour, that with your Convenience you will also tr[ansact the] debt due to me, by Mr. James Parker of New York lately deceasd. [ Torn. ] I send you the Accompt, by which there is a ballance due to...
4743To Benjamin Franklin from James Bowdoin, 5 November 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society I thank you for the Copy of the Instructions from the Committee of Plantations to Mr. Randolph inclosed in the last Letter [dated Feby. 5. 1771] with which you honoured me. His Answer to the Enquiries he was directed to make (if to be had) and compared with the present State of this Province, would probably shew in the Articles enumerated the...
4744To Benjamin Franklin from John Foxcroft, 5 November 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was favour’d by my Brother with a few Lines from you, just Acquainting me with your Intentions of taking a Trip to Ireland. I hope this will find you safe return’d and in Good health. I expect two Casks of Flour up every tide Manufactured by the same Man who I had the other two off, if they get up by Friday they will come in Falconer if not it will be too...
4745To Benjamin Franklin from Penuel Bowen, 6 November 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The honor you have done me, by the present I lately receivd thro’ the hands of Mr. Saml. Franklin of this Town, emboldens me to give you this trouble. Please to accept Sir, my most sincere and hearty thanks for your high favor. I account myself and my house signally honor’d by the picture of a gentleman, whom I have always hear’d spoken of, and for whom I...
4746To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Franklin, 8 November 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With pleasure I Embrace this oppertunity of informing you that I and my wife and my four Daughters thro Gods goodness are all well and Desire kindly to be remember’d to you hopeing that these may find you and Coz Sally in the Same good health. I am Sir much oblidged to you upon my own part for the prints you sent me for Mr. Bowen. I had it Neatly fram’d,...
4747To Benjamin Franklin from the Managers of the Philadelphia Silk Filature to Franklin and John Fothergill, 8 November … (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society The Subscribers Managers of the Contributions for promoting the Culture of silk in Pennsylvania, having purchased in the course of the last Season and procured to be reeled at the Filature erected here such a quantity of Cocoons as have produced about 155 lbs. of raw Silk proper for Exportation, are encouraged from your known Partiality to the productions of...
4748To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Noble, 11 November 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society An old friend of Franklin rarely makes his appearance so late in these volumes. But Samuel Noble was clearly such a friend; he has not hitherto come into the correspondence and, as far as we now know, reappears only once. The information about him is almost nonexistent. The connections that he speaks of in Burlington indicate that he was the son of Joseph...
4749To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Hunt, 12 November 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As the Letter I wrote to you by the Packet might not get safe to Hand, I take the Liberty, by this opportunity, to acquaint you, that the Attorney General of Bermudas is dead; and to sollicit your good offices to procure me, if possible, that Law-Department. The great Number of our Profession at present in Philadelphia, and the Scarcity of Business, arising...
4750To Benjamin Franklin from a Committee of Philadelphia Tradesmen, 13 November 1771 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society We received your Favour of July 29th with a Copy of Yours dated Augst 28th 1770 as also the Pamphlet, by the Hands of our faithful Friend Capt. Falconer. We still regret the Loss of the Original of Augst 28th in due Time; for notwithstanding the Honest and sincere Endeavours of the Tradesmen &c. could not possibly withstand the Torrent of Corruption, and...