31From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 1 June 1747 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Hall will acquaint you of the Footing we are about to go upon &c. &c. I have only time to acquaint you, that I have sent you several Bills lately, and will speedily remit you whatever shall be due to you after the Receipt of the Parcel of Books some time since wrote for. My best Respects to Mrs. Strahan and Wishes of Happiness to you and all Yours, in...
32From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 20 July 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from John Bigelow, ed., The Complete Works of Benjamin Franklin (New York and London, 1887–88), III , 207–8. I received your very kind letter and invitation to Bath where I am sure I could spend some days very happily with you and Mrs. Strahan, if my time would permit; but the man-of-war, that is to be our convoy, is under sailing orders for the 30th of this month so...
33From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 28 June 1751 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library I receiv’d yours of March 26. with the Books per Smith in good Order: And your Account, which agrees with mine except in a Trifle, the Share of the Charges on Ainsworth carried to J. Read’s Account. I am concern’d at your laying so long out of your Money, and must think of some Way of making you Amends. I have wrote to Smith at Antigua to quicken him in...
34From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 27 October 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have your Favour of June 27, and am quite surpriz’d at the Conduct of Mr. Harris. He is return’d to Maryland as I hear, a Parson! I have now received Bower’s 2d Vol. and shall send to the Trenton Library to enquire after Crito and Delaresse. The Sum was £25 to which I limited the Books, &c. to be sent my Nephew Benja. Mecom. But if you have sent to the Amount of...
35From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 31 December 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Free Library of Philadelphia This serves only to cover a Bill of Exchange drawn by B. Mecom on you, upon a Supposition that you have receiv’d Bills he sent you from Antigua for about £120 more than the Ballance of your Account. If those Bills are not come to hand or not paid, you need not be at the Trouble of Protesting this Bill; but let it lie in your Hands till you hear farther from...
36From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 27 November 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library I have yours of Oct. 3. Bolitho being just arriv’d, the Things not yet come on shore. By the Account sent, I find I was then £59 4 s . ½ d . in your Debt. I hope you have since received the Bills I sent you per Joy and Budden for £109 8 s . 4 d . Sterling which will leave a Ballance in my Favour. I do not at all approve of B. Mecom’s being so much in your Debt,...
37From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 26 April 1746 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; also duplicate: Boston Public Library I have had no Line from [you] since that dated June 1745, which, with your equal Silence to our Friends Hall and Read, made me apprehend that Death had depriv’d me of the Pleasure I promis’d myself in our growing Friendship: But Lieut. Grung writing in February last that you and your Family were well, convinces me...
38From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 19 July 1751 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Bigelow, Works (Federal Edition, 1904), XII , 253. This serves to cover the enclosed and recommend the affair to your care. I have assured the gentlemen concerned that you will serve them as well and cheap as any bookseller in London. They are men of ability, and will be constant customers. We are all well, and join in the most cordial salutations to you, Mrs....
39From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 1 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Rosenbach Foundation; duplicate: Huntington Library I wrote you a Line or two yesterday, enclosing B. Mecom’s 2d Bill for £100 Sterling drawn on you upon Presumption that you had received some Bills he had sent you, amounting to about £120 more than the Ballance of his Account. He has settled honourably with me, and bought the old Printing House he had at Antigua, which he has sent to...
40From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 7 August 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Boston Public Library I wrote to you lately per Mesnard, and sent a Bill for £50 Sterling, with a List of Books to be purchased for our Library; a Copy of which I shall send per another Ship that sails in a few Days. This is chiefly to recommend to you Mr. Matthias Harris, a Gentleman of Maryland, and a Friend of mine. As he will be entirely a Stranger in London, your Acquaintance and...
41From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 22 May 1746 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; also duplicates: New York Public Library and Pierpont Morgan Library This is only to enclose a third Bill, for £15.0.0 Sterling the first and second of which went from this Port directly and from Annapolis: And to desire you to send me two setts of Popple’s Mapps of N. America one bound the other in Sheets, they are for our Assembly; they also want the...
42From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 9 January 1749 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library This just serves to cover a Bill of Exchange for £8 8 s. o d. Sterling, and to let you know we are all well. It goes via New York, our River being full of Ice. I shall write you largely per our next Vessel, particularly about Mr. Read’s Affair. I wrote to you per our two last Vessels. The Post just going, cannot add but that I am Dear Sir, Your obliged Friend and...
43From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 27 November 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and duplicate: Yale University Library I inclose you a Bill of Philip Gibbes jr. drawn on Messrs. Lascelles and Maxwell, Merchants in London, for £50 Sterling. Also a Bill of John Hutchings on Mr. James Buchanan Merchant London for £50 Sterling which I hope will be readily paid. Twelve Pounds in these Bills is what I received of Mr. Dove for Mr. Young; the remaining £88, please to carry to...
44From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 10 July 1743 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Columbia University Library Mr. Read has communicated to me part of a Letter from you, recommending a young Man whom you would be glad to see in better Business than that of a Journeyman Printer. I have already three Printing-Houses in three different Colonies, and purpose to set up a fourth if I can meet with a proper Person to manage it, having all Materials ready for that purpose. If...
45From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 12 February 1745 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Atlantic Monthly , LXI (1888), 22–3. I received your Favour per Mr. Chew dated Sept. 10, and a Copy via Boston. I received also Mr. Middleton’s pieces. I am pleased to hear that my old Acquaintance Mr. Wygate is promoted, and hope the Discovery will be compleated. I would not have you be too nice in the Choice of Pamphlets you send me. Let me have everything,...
46From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 22 September 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery I write in pain with an Arm lately dislocated, so can only acknowledge the Receipt of your Favours of May 3. and 10. And thank you for the Intelligence they contain concerning your publick Affairs. I am now 400 Miles from home, but hope to be there again in about 3 Weeks. The Indian War upon our Western Settlements, was undoubtedly stirr’d up...
47From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 28 February 1749 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract reprinted from Stan V. Henkels, Catalogue No. 906, pt. 2, supplement (October 26, 1904), item 2910. Our Friend Hall goes on exceedingly well: Has lately got a Daughter. Mary, first child of David and Mary Hall, was born Feb. 7, 1749, and died before Sept. 27, 1750. PMHB , XVI (1892), 364; LX (1936), 458.
48From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 29 April 1749 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I suppose Mr. Hall will acquaint you that I have settled with him for those Things you sent me that were charg’d in his Invoice. Enclos’d are the following Bills, viz. Richard Graham’s £22. 0. 0 James M’Nab’s 3. 10. 0 Hammond & Co’s 2. 13. 7 Do 8. 8. 0 Do
49From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 25 September 1746 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (2): Western Reserve Historical Society and Pierpont Morgan Library; also duplicate: Yale University Library Your Favours of Feb. 11. and May 1. are come to hand. Mesnard arrived safe this Morning, and I suppose I shall have the Trunks out in a Day or two. Our other Ships Lisle and Houston not yet come, but daily expected. I am much oblig’d to you for your ready Compliance with my...
50From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 19 December 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I have before me your Favours of July 16, and Augt. 18. which is the latest. It vexes me excessively to see that Parker and Mecom are so much in Arrear with you. What is due from Parker is safe, and will be paid, I think with Interest; for he is a Man as honest as he is industrious and frugal, and has withal some Estate: his Backwardness has been owing to his bad...
51From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 22 September 1751 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library My Daughter receiv’d her Books all in good Order, and thanks you for your kind Care in sending them. Enclos’d is a second Bill for £20 Sterling. The first went per Mesnard. There is a little Book on the Game of Chess, by Philip Stamma, printed for J. Brindley, 1745. If to be had, please to send it me; with the Remaining Vols. of Viner as fast as they are...
52From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 31 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Huntington Library The above is a Copy of my last I have now before me your Favour of Sept. 11 I shall not fail on every Occasion to recommend you to my Friends on the Book Account I wish I could give you any Hopes of soon receiving your Debt of J. Read Mr. Hall, no doubt, writes you more fully concerning him. It gives me great Pleasure to hear so good an Account of our Son Billy In...
53From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 24 September 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Princeton University Library I wrote to you of the first Instant, and sent you a Bill for £13 and a little List of Books to be bought with it. But as Mr. Becket has since sent them to me, I hope this will come time enough to countermand that Order. The Money, if you have receiv’d it, may be paid to Mrs. Stevenson, to whom we have wrote for sundry Things. I thank you for inserting the...
54From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 6 December 1750 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your Favour of Augt. 31. per Mesnard, and Copy per Shirley who is just arrived. Mr. Joseph Crellius is gone to Holland and I suppose may call at London before he returns, and settle his Daughter’s Affair. I am sorry there has been so long Delay in this Payment of my Son’s Money; I must contrive some Way to make you Satisfaction. My Son is now...
55From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 28 April 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library; also duplicate: Yale University Library The above is a Copy of mine per Reeve. Two Ships are since arrived in New York, but I hear nothing yet of the Things expected, tho’ possibly they may be come. I enclose Mrs. Steevens second Bill for £20 Sterling. Please to send the following Books, viz. 2 Familiar Letters by Charles Halifax 12mo Baldwin 2 Nelson on the...
56From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 14 April 1745 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Rosenbach Foundation The above is a Copy of mine per Capt. Martyn. I have only to desire you to add the following Books. 6 French Testaments. 12 Boyer’s Grammars, 12 Cord[ier]. Colloqu[es]. French. 3 Cambray’s Fables. 3 Telemaque, 2 Travels of Cyrus, French. 2 Boyer’s Dictionaries 8vo. 1 New German and Eng. Dictionary and Grammar by Professor A. of Leipsig. Yours &c. Addressed: To Mr...
57From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 3 July 1749 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Bigelow, Works , X , 252–3. I wrote to you very fully per Arthur concerning your affair with Mr. Read, and shall have nothing to add on that subject till I hear further from you. I acquainted you that he had given his bond for the balance due to you, and that I do not look on the debt as desperate. Enclosed I send you several second bills, having sent the firsts...
58From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 1 January 1747 (Franklin Papers)
Duplicate: Yale University Library This is only to enclose a Bill of Exchange for £25 Sterling, and to wish you and good Mrs. Strahan, with your Children &c. many happy new Years. Mr. Hall continues well. We shall both write largely per Seymour. This via New York. I am, &c.
59From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 21 March 1752 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Atlantic Monthly , lxi (1888), 29. I wrote to you in the Winter via New York, for a few Books, and sent a 2d Bill of £30 Barbados Currency. The first is enclos’d. I hope it came to Hand Time enough for you to meet with the Gentleman and get the Money. He is Capt. of a Ship, and was to be found in the New England Coffee House, but probably may be gone before you...
60From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 9 May 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Boston Public Library; also duplicate: New York Public Library I have your Favour of Jany. 30 and thank you for the Civility shown on my Recommendation to Mr. Harris. What you mention concerning the Books, was not at all amiss. Neither the 2d Vol. of Bower’s History of the Popes, nor Delaresse’s Art of Painting, nor Crito, are to be found in Mr. Hall’s Trunks. I have settled a Nephew of...
61William Strahan’s Account for Printing and Books, [13 September 1774] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society We do not normally print accounts in extenso, but this one reveals enough about Franklin’s literary activities over an eighteen-month period to justify an exception. Decr. Sheet of Rules, 2 Reams PL 2 2 Two Reams of Writing Medium [?] Paper for Do. PL 2 8 Petit Code de la Raison Humaine, 4sheets, No 500, @ 14 s. PL 2 16 Four Reams of Paper for Do. PL
62From Benjamin Franklin to [William Strahan], 16 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I send you the Notes you desired of me. When you have dress’d them they’ll be fit to appear in Company. I send also a little Article of News for your Paper, which I wish may be inserted this Evening if you see no Objection. I mean to set the Dispute in a ridiculous Light if I could. The Act of Parliament requires the Colony to find for the Troops, Barracks,...
63From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 7 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I wrote you some time since to acquaint you with my Arrival, and the kind Reception I met with from my old and many new Friends, notwithstanding Dr. Smith’s false Reports in London of my Interest, as declining here. I could not wish for a more hearty Welcome, and I never experienc’d greater Cordiality. We had a long Passage, near ten Weeks from Portsmouth to this...
64From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 28 June 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library You will hear before this reaches you, that the Indians have renew’d their Hostilities. They have not as usual made any previous Complaint, and various Conjectures are therefore made of the Cause. Some think it is merely to secure their Hunting Countries, which they apprehend we mean to take from them by Force and turn them into Plantations, tho’ this Apprehension...
65From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 30 March 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I begin to think it long since I had the Pleasure of hearing from you. Enclos’d is one of our last Gazettes, in which you will see that our Dissensions are broke out again; more violently than ever. Such a Necklace of Resolves! and all Nemine contradicente, I believe you have seldom seen. If you can find Room for them and our Messages in the Chronicle,...
66From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 2 July 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston; duplicate: Yale University Library Being here, I take this Opportunity per the Packet Boat, to write you a Line, acknowledging the Receipt of your Favour of March 13. and of the Brevier Fount, which is come to Hand in good Order, and pleases Mr. Hall and me very much. I am much indebted to you for your Care in that matter, as well as many others....
67From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 4 June 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library The above is a Copy of mine per Reeves. This is only to request you would send me here, the Quarto Abridgement of the Philosophical Transactions, except the first five Volumes which I have. Send me also Fielding’s Proposals for employing the Poor. In haste, I am Yours ut supra All well. Mr. Hall out of town. The 5 Vols of Transactions I have, are abridg’d by...
68From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 7 November 1745 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library (Berg) Finding a Vessel here about to sail to London, I take the Opportunity to enclose you a second Bill, the first of which I sent via Maryland. I left Mr. Hall and all Friends well at Philada last Week, and hope to see them again in a few Days. I have not Time to add but that I am Sir Your very humble Servant Addressed: To Mr Wm Strahan Printer in Wine...
69From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 22 December 1745 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library (Berg) The above is a Copy of what I wrote you per Mesnard who sailed about 10 Days ago from this Port. This goes per Capt. Hargrave, who is soon to sail from Maryland. Enclos’d I send you a Bill for £15.7.1, which I hope will be readily paid. Enclos’d is also a Letter to Mr. Collinson, containing an Order for Books for the Library, which when you deliver you will...
70From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 17 November 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been at Blair Drummond on a Visit to my Friend Lord Kaims, thence I went to Glasgow, thence to the Carron Works, viewing the Canal by the Way. Extream bad Weather detain’d me in several Places some Days longer than I intended: But on Tuesday I purpose setting out on my Return, and hope for the Pleasure of seeing you by the Tuesday following. I thank...
71From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 31 July 1744 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library The above is a Copy of my last (via Corke). This encloses Bills for Twenty Pounds Thirteen Shillings Sterling, for which when receiv’d please to give my Account Credit, and send me by the first Ship a Fount of about 300 lb. weight of good new English Letter, which I shall want to compleat a little Printing house for our common Friend Mr. Hall. I send...
72From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 18 September 1744 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you per Capt. Evans, and enclos’d you Bills for £20.13.0 Sterlg. of which I now send you the Seconds. I sent you also a Box containing 300 Books I had printed, and by this Ship I send you 200 Copies of our late Indian Treaty which I hope will come to hand and sell with you. I will take Books of you in Exchange for as much of them as you can [get]...
73From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 23 July 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from John Bigelow, ed., The Complete Works of Benjamin Franklin (New York and London, 1887–88), III , 208–9. As Dr. Hawkesworth calls you, I send you inclosed a line to my good friend Dr. Kelley; which you will do me the favour to deliver with the parcel directed to him. As it is vacation time I doubt whether any other acquaintance of mine may be in Oxford, or at least...
74From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 2 November 1744 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Chicago Historical Society I have wrote to you by several Opportunities to acknowledge the Receipt of yours per Mr. Hall with the Things you sent me. I have also remitted you Bills for £20.13.0. Sterl. of which you have the fourths enclos’d. I desired you to send me a Fount of about 300 wt. English and the best Newspapers and Pamphlets constantly. I hope some of my Letters have come to...
75From Benjamin Franklin to [William Strahan?], 1 May 1747 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute, Utica, N.Y. (1955) This is only to cover a Bill of Exchange for Eleven Pounds 2 s. 2½ d. Sterl. drawn on Richd. Atkinson of Colthouse by Wm. Satterthwaite, and to inform you that we are all well, as I hope this will find you and yours. I am Your most humble Servant This via New York. Copy with first Bill and Letter of Advice via Boston by the Mermaid...
76From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 8 August 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have received here your Favour of May 3. and Postscript of May 10. and thank you cordially for the Sketch you give me of the present State of your political Affairs. If the stupid brutal Opposition your good King and his Measures have lately met with should as you fear become general, surely you would not wish me to come and live among such People; you would...
77From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 20 June 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received yours of Jan. 17. with the two Vols. of Viner, in good Order: but the Ship proving leaky, the Water got into the Box containing poor Sally’s Dressing Glass, by which means the Glue being dissolved, the Frame parted, the Glass dropt out and broke to pieces, and the Wood Work is so twisted and cast out of Shape in drying again, that nothing...
78From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 19 October 1748 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I receiv’d your Favour of April 25, with the Maps, &c. I am glad the Polybius did not come, and hope you will not have sent it when this reaches your Hands; it was intended for my Son, who was then in the Army, and seemed bent on a military Life; but as Peace cuts off his Prospect of Advancement in that Way, he will apply himself to other Business. Enclos’d I send...
79From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 16 November 1753 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from extract in Merwin Sales Company, Catalogue No. 557 (1914), p. 16. I wrote to you via Bristol and desired you to bespeak some Letter and a Press for me. I desired Mr. Hall to look out for such a Bill for me, but he has not been able to procure one at any reasonable rate. Among the lost [long?] list of type is 300 lb. long Primer with Figures and Signs sufficient for...
80From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 1 May 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I receiv’d your Favour of Decemr. 20. You cannot conceive the Satisfaction and Pleasure you give your Friends here by your political Letters. Your Accounts are so clear, circumstantial and compleat, that tho’ there is nothing too much, nothing is wanting to give us, as I imagine, a more perfect Knowledge of your Publick Affairs than most People have that live...