501To Benjamin Franklin from John Michell, 13 April 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Tom’s C. H. April 13, 1772: Returns a book together with Winthrop’s letter, which he has ordered sent to Franklin. Is leaving town today and will not see him again until next winter unless, as Michell hopes, Franklin visits Yorkshire during the summer. If instead he leaves for America, wishes him a pleasant and prosperous voyage and happiness in his native...
502To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 22 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received your very kind and acceptable Favour by Mr. Allison, with the MSS . accompanying it, for which you have my Thanks. When have perused shall return the MSS . With my Thanks I now return Dr. Knights most ingenious Treatise on Magnetism . I have this Commencement resigned my Imployment in the College: shall this Week set out for Newport, where expect to...
503To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 8 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Not having the Pleasure of one Line from you for several Vessels; I have the less to write you. I am afraid we shall have bad Work with Mr. Chew, who now says, you promised to allow him for a Rider he hired to Hartford, in 1755 and 1756: but it is Strange when he was with me in Philadelphia in 1764, that he never mentioned it at that Time. Holt’s Account...
504To Benjamin Franklin from John Bard, 18 August 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Altho the reluctance I have to ask favours of my Friends, Especially when there is too great a probability of its not being convenient, or in their power, to grant them; greatly discourages me in the request I am about to make. Yet while there is the most distant prospect of Success, I can not but hope your Friendship will Excuse me, as a Parent, in...
505To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 11 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed is a Letter from the Revd. Doctr Mather which he desired me to send to you. I am much obliged by your kindness in procuring the Organ as desired which came out in good order, except the omission of one Pipe the 11th from the lef side in the second (leaden) Stop, which I suppose the [maker?] forgot: I shall be obliged if you will please to send me...
506To Benjamin Franklin from Jan Ingenhousz, [12 May 1774] (Franklin Papers)
Abstract: Ingenhousz letterbook, Gemeente-Archief, Breda, Netherlands I begg him send me soon his apology. I tell him the very words by which the Empress Queen promised me never to change any thing in my situation, and declared me quite a free man. Thus that I could reasonably expect to get leave to do what I will. I Sent a relation of my experiments upon the Torpedo to Sir John a year ago. I...
507To Benjamin Franklin from Moses Franks, 20 February 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I must entreat you to deliver to Mr. Dagge the Account and Papers relative to the Sufferers by Indian Depredations in 1754. There being particular occasion for them; being requested by the legal representatives of those Sufferers to solicit compensation. You were troubled formerly by Mr. Levy on the subject, and Mr. Dagge having just told me he is to meet...
508To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 6 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did reseve yours by the laste packit dated Jan 6. I due in tend to write by Capt. All if it pies got [God] to preserve him Safe back a gen. I did in tend to say [sum]thing a boute Ben Franklin Beache but Billey told me he had mens[honed him?] to you in his letter yester day, I had thought I had bin two trubel sum [ torn ] as you had told me that he was...
509To Benjamin Franklin from Harbanus Ashebriner: Contract for a Wagon and Horses, 2 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with MS insertions in blanks: Yale University Library I Harbanus Ashebriner of Parradice Township . in the County of York and Province of Pennsylvania, do hereby agree and promise that I will, on the Terms hereunder mentioned, provide one good Waggon with four able Horses and a Driver, to be at Wills’s Creek in Virginia, with as much Oats, Indian Corn, or other Forage as I...
510To Benjamin Franklin from Grace Williams, 13 December 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the Pleasuer of your favor with my son Blesed be God we Reeved him in good Helth and I hope Uncurrupted in his Morrals. In this my Prayers is answerd. I am obligd to his Frinds that advisd his Return tho he mant never Git a East India fortune he may do verry well and In my oppnion Great Richees never made the Poeseser a greater Wiser nor Haper man he...
511To Benjamin Franklin from Jane (Jenny) Mecom, 9 January 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Heart has ever been susceptible of the warmest greatitude for your frequent Benefactions to the whole of our Family, but your last KIND , unexpected as well as undiserved, NOBLE presant in particular to me, calls for a particular acknoledgement from me. Except then dearest Sir, my most Sinceare and hearty thanks, with a promise, that your kindness Shall...
512To Benjamin Franklin from John Balfour, 2 September 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am favourd with yours of the 9th Current giving me an Account of Mr. Mecoms affairs, which is indeed very bad, however the young Gentleman is much to be pitied, as it woud appear that his Circumstances in a good measure have gone wrong thro an Act of Providence. I am not uneasy with respect to myself, but am a little so with respect to Mr. Hamilton, who...
513To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Gilpin, 1 June 1770 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: reprinted from “Memoir of Thomas Gilpin,” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , XLIX (1925), 312–13. This extract and three others that follow, from letters by Gilpin of June 8, July 19, and November 15, may or may not have been to Franklin. The extracts hitherto printed in this and the preceding volume are described in the memoir from which they come, written by Thomas...
514To Benjamin Franklin from Lord Stanhope, 21 January 1775 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Lord Chatham, after six months of quiescence, was returning to do battle with the ministry. Franklin had furnished him with ammunition, in the form of the petition from the Continental Congress, and on December 26 had an interview with him at which Chatham mentioned the possibility of a move as soon as Parliament reconvened. On the day it met, January 19, he sent the...
515To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, [10 January? 1770] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was informed late last Night, That a Number of your and my Letters were lying at the New York Coffee House and Therefore I went into the City early this morning and have taken up all I could find. I send by my Boy, yours. I [am] always very respectfully your Very affectionate Friend. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin The dating is purely conjectural. Capt....
516To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, [December 1769] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society NB Dr Franklin to whom these verses Verses which accompanied her Christmas gift to BF .
517To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Viny, 13 January 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is the first extant letter from a man with whom Franklin continued to correspond intermittently for years to come. Viny was a carriage-maker in Tenterden, Kent; he and his wife were friends of the Stevensons, and their acquaintance with Franklin went back at least to the autumn of 1768. The subject of this letter, obscured by the fact that a crucial...
518To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cumming, 30 December 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Thos. Cumming presents his best Respects to his worthy Friend Doctor Franklin, and begs Leave to introduce to his Notice the Bearer, who is canvassing for the Place of Library-Keeper to the Royal Society. The Doctor will be presented with a Book of that Gentleman’s, which if it has been already read by the Doctor, Cumming may save himself the Trouble of...
519To Benjamin Franklin from John Whitehurst, 4 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this Day deliver’d your Clock to Mr. Clark, who Inn’s at the Ball in Wood street and hope it will Arrive Safe and to your Sattisfaction. Please to unlock the door, and you will find the Screws, which fasten the Case in the Packing Case. The weights, Ball, Pulley, &c. are Packed between bottom of the Clock and Packing Cases. And please to draw the...
520To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 23 November 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Be pleased to receive the inclosed Bill of Exchange John Hunter on Messrs. Thomlinson, Hanbury, Colebrooke & Nisbitt Merchants in London No. 732 for Three Hundred Pounds Sterling. for my Account till further Order from Your Assured Friend Wrote [a Seperate Letter] at W Griffitts’s and Sent by his Young Man who went down after the Vessels....
521To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 9 February 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society I received a few Lines from you, dated September 6. by the Boreas Captain McDougall, acknowledging Payment of the Bills drawn by Scott and McMichael on the Portis’s. The Letters inclosed were delivered. The Brevier seems pretty perfect; only the Lower Case r’s run short; therefore wish you would send about a Couple of Pounds of them by the first...
522To Benjamin Franklin from Pennsylvania Assembly Committee of Correspondence, 1 November 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library Company of Philadelphia The General Assembly of this Province, having appointed Us to be the Committee of Correspondence; And in Pursuance of their Resolves from time to time during their late Sitting; We have Caused to be made out and furnished divers Certified Copys of Resolves and Instructions to Richd. Jackson Esqr. then Sole Agent of this Province to be sent by Us [to] Mr....
523To Benjamin Franklin from William Deane, [1757–1759] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Coll: Deanes Compliments to Mr. Franklin and Son, Shall be Extreemly glad of the favor of their Company to Dinner tommorow to meet Mr. and Mrs. Sargent at half an Hour after three o Clock. Addressed: To / Mr. Franklin / Craven Street Lieut. Col. William Deane (d. 1775) of the British Army, was appointed governor of Upnor Castle before 1758, and was promoted...
524To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Hyacinthe Magellan, 2 August 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Celui qui vous presentera Cette Lettre est Mr. Ludwig, Neveu du Celebre Mr. Ernest de Leipsick et fils de Mr. Ludwig savant Medecin de la meme Ville, que j’ai l’honneur de vous recommender comme digne de votre connoissance. Il voyage pour s’instruire avec les Savants Etrangers, et pense de passer quelque tems à Londres. Le plaisir que vous prenez à recevoir...
525To Benjamin Franklin from Baynton and Wharton, 3 November 1764 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society The Tracts of Land, Which We mention’d to You, last Spring, are situated as follows. One of Them, “is on the East side of Lake Champlaine and on the North side of the River Messesque, including Twenty Thousand Acres.” The Other Tract “is situated on the North side of the Bay of Chaleur adjoining the Bay, including the same Quantity, as the above.” The...
526To Benjamin Franklin from Amelia Evans, 23 May 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your two very obliging favors by Mr. Stuart (who arrived a few weeks ago) I have received, and most sincerely thank you for the enquiries you was so obliging to make concerning him. Mr. Traill and his Lady have charged me with their compliments and warmest acknowledgements for the favor you have done them by it. You my dear Sir, who so much delight in acts...
527To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 12 June 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this Dr. Nicholas Falck, is an Inhabitant of this City, and is a Person of a general fair Character:–It is said, he having made some remarkable Discoveries in the Mathematicks and other Sciences, goes to London in order to communicate them to Advantage, and being some Acquaintance of mine, I have presumed to recommend him thus to your Notice:...
528To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Dowse, 27 July 1747 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mrs. Steel who got here last week desires me to write you in her behalf, to acknowledge the many kind Acts of Freindship she hath received from you and at the same time to sollicit you to let me or her know what new Matter you had received after her leaving Philadelphia to be displeased with her or her conduct as you Seem to be in a letter she received...
529To Benjamin Franklin from John Pownall, 2 June 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (copy): Public Record Office I am directed by the Earl of Hillsborough to desire the Favor that he may see you at His House together with the Agents of some of the other North American Colonies on Wednesday next at Eleven O’Clock in the forenoon, on the subject of some representations that have been made to his Lordship of irregularities committed by Masters of Bermuda Vessels raking Salt...
530To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 20 April 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society In mine to you, of the 18th Instant, by the Friendship, Capt. Falconer, was inclosed the first Copy of a Bill of Exchange for £100 Sterling; which, with what I had sent you before, I told you amounted to Two Thousand Forty-nine Pounds, Twelve Shillings, and Five Pence Sterling, remitted you since you left Philadelphia, and for which I desired you...
531To Benjamin Franklin from William Clapham, 7 September 1756 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission The Bearer Michael McGuire inlisted as a private Soldier for the Term of three Months in the Service of the Province, he has not only during that time behav’d himself soberly and well as a Soldier but has also been particularly useful as an Overseer and Carpenter in the Building the Fort, the Term of his Inlistment expir’d a Month ago and as...
532To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Priestley, 28 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society According to my promise, I send you the other paper, containing an account of experiments, which I desire you would lay before the Royal Society. I have material for another short paper of Miscellaneous experiments , but I think it better to wait till I have enlarged on it, and completed some of the courses particularly that concerning Magnetism. I made use...
533To Benjamin Franklin from George Whitefield, 17 January 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from A Select Collection of Letters of the late Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (London, 1772), III , 114–15. I hope that this will find you safely arrived at Philadelphia, from your northward expedition, and ready to come further southwards. This leaves me in my last Virginia stage, near the borders of North-Carolina. People as I came along have been very willing to...
534To Benjamin Franklin from David Barclay, 18 December 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and extract: Library of Congress Being inform’d by my Nephew, that agreable to the Advice given to the Holder of the Pamphlet, received from the other Side of the Atlantic, it is reprinting, and will probably be published Tomorrow; I am of the Opinion that it will be adviseable to let a little time elapse before any other Steps are persued, more especially when its consider’d, that at the...
535To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [27 May? 1756] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Yale University Library I have the pleasure to tell thee how much thou art esteemed by many worthy men here: for on the Ballot for thy Election to be a Member of the Royal Society , there was not one negative Ball; an Instance of Unanimity that Lord Macclesfield told me he never before saw . So I wish thee long to enjoy that Honor deservedly and so unanimously conferred on thee. Thy...
536To Benjamin Franklin from Rudolph Raspe, 17 March 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sympatize still so much with Your publick Spirit and Your Genius, You have happily devoted to Your countries service and the improvement of natural Philosophy, that the keeping me in Your good remembrance is the least liberty I can indulge me with. I cannot therefore neglect to trouble You with these lines and to recommend You Mr. Lichtenberg Professor of...
537To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Falconer, 2 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am Sorrey to Trouble you with aney Triflings matters of mine but as it is uncertain that I shall Return Directly to London or go Elswhere I must beg the Favor of you to Call on mr. Samuel wharton when the Grant is made for my Right for Forty Thousand acres for which he has already Received Fifty pounds Sterling of mildreed & Roberts where his order to...
538To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Bernard, 13 February 1764 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Harvard College Library I am favoured with yours of Jan 27. and have received one from my Son dated New York Feb 2 informing that being apprehensive of the badness of the Roads on the change of Weather, He had returned your Horse and intended to take his passage in the Newport packet boat with some other Gentlemen who were waiting for it. However He is not yet arrived. I am...
539To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 9 November 1748 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I here return thee Hen: Ellis’s Tract of his Voyage to Hudson’s Bay, which I have perused and I thank thee for the Loan of it. But I’m Sorry for the Loss of Sandin the Swedish Minister for they generally use to be a good Sort of People, their Ministers I mean. I know not what to think of Kalm. I had a Letter from Linnaeus 10 or 11 years Since...
540To Benjamin Franklin from William Brownrigg, 12 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this moment received a letter from Sir John Pringle, in which he is pleased to acquaint me that he shortly intends me the favour of a visit; that you accompany him to Leeds, and may possibly come with him so far as this place. I have great reason to beleive that you will not very willingly part from Sir John on this excursion, or he from you; I...
541To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 9 September 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I reced both Yours from Boston —it is a Pleasure to hear from the Man I Love. I Submit the Inclosed to your perusal. Your Free remarks on them will be acceptable. I that Live so remote am not so good a Judge of the Reasonabl[n]ess and practibility of Them. They were drawn up at the breaking out of the Cherokee Warr and presented to those at the Helm. Its...
542To Benjamin Franklin from John Hawkesworth, 8 November 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Haverford College Library These few Lines comes hopping that you may not forget your promise of putting me in the way of getting a pensylvanian Stove time enough to enjoy the benefit of it this Winter: have you spoken to the Man to whose Eyes you addressed a proof that could not reach his Understanding? Will you fix a time for him to come hither, and will you fix such a time as will be...
543To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Bache, 14 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Oh with what joy, and pleasure [did] I receive your wellcome letter, with the acoun[t of the] Safe arival of our Dear Son, which he will [ torn ] his Dear family, to think of his, and Dear Sally [ torn ] Makes me quit So. I have been very uneas[y for this?] Month past, and this last week I was quit[e so; not?] hearing any thing of him of So long a time, I...
544To Benjamin Franklin from Edmé-Louis Daubenton, 31 May 1773 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society M. Daubenton le jeune a l’honneur de presenter son hommage à Monsieur franklin et de l’assurer de son respect en lui envoyant les nouveaux Cayers des oiseaux enluminés qui lui manquent pour completer son exemplaire. Il aura grand soin de mettre a part ceux qui restent à faire et de les envoyer à Monsieur franklin. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur franklin /...
545To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Walker, 1 April 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Humbly beg the Favour to Except these few Lines hoping you and your good Family in America are all in good health as my Cousin Morris and we all are at Present and my Mother is in hopes that some of Mr. Franklins Children in Boston are Boys as your Name may not be Quite Extinct my Cusin and Father and Mother and Brothers Humbly beg the acceptance of our...
546To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Parker, 12 August 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with inexpressable Grief that I am Obliged to give you an Account of my Dear Mr. Parkers Death. He kept his house the Greatest part of the Winter with the gout and an inflamation in his Legg. The 4 June as soon as he could git Abroad, his Anxiety to doe his duty as Comptroller Carried him Down to New Town; On his return he fell ill at Bristol; was...
547To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Thomson, 26 October 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress This day the congress broke up, the papers are not all got ready, but will be sent to you by the next opportunity. As a vessel sails to Morrow Morning early I am ordered to forward to you the petition to the King. I have the pleasure to inform you that at the last session of Assembly you are continued Agent for this province, of which you will no doubt receive a...
548To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [1764–1765] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I think you[r] Vindication is admirably well drawn up You make Mee Smile now and then with a keen back Stroke and then with a Home Thrust. It must Mortifie Allen for it cuts Him to the Quick. He has poisoned the Barclay Family. I wish you had one to spare to send my penny post Directed to Mr. David Barclay Junior in Cheapside. If you have them not to...
549To Benjamin Franklin from John Sargent, 12 August 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Copy (incomplete), MS minutes: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania By our Friends here I am enabled to convey the enclosed Trifles to you, which are the best I could meet with at present and cost 5 Guineas each. You remember the Intention viz, for the two best Performances at the general Meeting or Publick Act of your College or Seminary. The Subject of one to be, in a short English...
550To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Franklin, 17 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Received your kind Letter by Mr. Danforth with the book of advice Inclos’d, for which I kindly thank you, and hope I Shall follow your good Directions. I find Still the times are hard and Dificult, but Desire to be thankfull. I Rubb along with my Neighbours. I hope Sir these Lines may find you in good health as they Leave me and my Family. My Wife and my...