1361To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac L. Winn, 12 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
LS : the Royal Society Winn was a pioneer in this attempt to apply observations on the aurora borealis to forecasting the weather. His hypothesis was related, no doubt accidentally, to two earlier observations: that high winds follow an auroral display, and that a storm moves in an opposite direction from the winds it creates. His theory, when Franklin had it published and added comments of...
1362To Benjamin Franklin from Dorothea Blunt, 14 August [1772?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When and where this may find you my Dear Sir I know not, but I hope soon, and that you [may be] in good health. I fancy my fears made [me tremble?] more than I believe I ought to have [done. But?] I own I thought you much indispo[sed when last?] I saw you in Craven Street, and I a[llow that] I was conceited enough to think that I cou’d [have] precribd...
1363To Benjamin Franklin from Giambattista Toderini, 15 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society En vous soumettant mon petit ouvrage, qui a pour titre Filosofia Frankliniana sopra le Punte preservatrici del fulmine, &c. c’est le mettre entre les mains d’un Philosophe connu dans le Public pour un des plus illustres, dont les heureuses inventions ont fait faire un si grand Progrès à la Physique. Votre grand esprit, propre de la Nation Angloise, et vos...
1364To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 21 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Lee’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin. The Gentleman who deliverd him the inclosd Letter, having informd him, that the Bearer of it from Mr. Cushing was under an express injunction to deliver it to Dr. Lee in the absence of Dr. Franklin, as the Contents requird immediate attention; Mr. L. took the Liberty of opening it. The Contents however appear to Mr....
1365To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 21 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As you will probably write to Philadelphia by some of the Vessels now about to sail thither, may I request the favour of you to remind Mr. Galloway of the Money due to me for Types and Newspapers sent to Mr. Goddard by his Order above four Years ago, and which, as stated in my Letter to him of the 6th. Decr. 1770. amounted then to £172 15 s. 2 d. ? I wrote...
1366To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Timothy, 24 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is almost sufficient to discourage any Man from continuing to write, who has sent so many Letters as I have to you since the 16th of August last Year, without receiving an Answer to any one besides the first, and that after Six Months had elapsed. But I will suppose they have miscarried: I can not believe that Doct. Franklin will withdraw his Friendship...
1367To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, 27 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclosed is the Receit for the Books. They told me at the Coffeehouse yesterday, that the Captain takes his Bag away tomorrow. Please to remember your Engagement to dine with me tomorrow at 4. I am ever Dear Sir Your affectionate humble Servant Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / Craven Street Aug. 27 also fell on a Thursday in 1767, but in that year BF would...
1368To Benjamin Franklin from John Walsh, 27 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I will not let this Post slip without making to You my hearty congratulations on your being elected by the French Academy of Sciences to be one of it’s eight foreign Members, a truely illustrious Society; and I will freely say it, even to You, because I think it, that Your Election does honour to the Judgement of the Academy. On my Arrival here the 21st. I...
1369To Benjamin Franklin from William Bowden, 29 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The great regard I have for my friend M Skey the bearer of this, engages me to take the liberty to introduce him to you. He wants some information with respect to the new Settlement intended at the Ohio, and as I am very sensible your opinion will be of great use, I presume to ask your favoring him with your sentiments on that head, for a guide to him...
1370To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, [September 1772?]: fragment (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society [ Beginning lost. ] Je ne vous dirai rien de Mademoiselle Biheron qui a l’honneur de vous ecrire elle même, et qui aime autant a peu pres que moi a s’entretenir de vous. Mais je vous proteste que ma femme est si eprise de la même passion pour vous que nos Pretres, et nos Moines perdent tous les jours de leur credit sur son esprit, cecy soit...
1371To 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...
1372To Benjamin Franklin from Marie Catherine Biheron, 10 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je suis tres sensible à l’honneur de votre souvenir et vous remercie de votre grasieuse lettre; je saisis avec empressement l’occasion de Mr. Walsh pour vous envoyer le discours de notre Cour des Aides fait par notre Celebre Magistrat Mr. Malherbe. Jaurois souhaité qu’il fut imprimé tel qu’il est je desire qu’il vous soit agreeable. Je suis bien faché que...
1373To Benjamin Franklin from Georgiana Shipley, 22 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have the Misfortune to acquaint you that last week poor Mungo got out of his Cage and was killed by a Dog. I was really very much concerned for it, as I am remarkably fond of all Squirrels, and particularly valued Mungo as being the Gift of my good Friend. I perfer’d it to the European Squirrels for being more Gentle and Goodhumored and full as lively. Papa and...
1374To Benjamin Franklin from the Count of Belgioioso: Two Letters, 30 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The Count of Belgioioso presents His best Compliments to Dr. Franklin and would take it as a particular Favour if He’d please to inform Him where the Person lives who makes the Glasses for the Harmonica according to His Invention: as the French Embassadour who is a great Lover of Musick and is desireous of having One enquired to The Count about this said...
1375To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste LeRoy, 30 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’aurois repondu plutot Monsieur et cher confrère, à la lettre que vous m’avez fait l honneur de m’écrire; si je n’avois voulu vous parler de celle que vous m’avez fait remettre, par LAbbé Morellet, pour M. Le Duc de la Vrillière. J’ai conçu, par là, que vous desiriez que je la remisse en main propre à ce Ministre, et ce n’est que depuis quelques Jours, que...
1376To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Price, 30 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have Sent you enclosed Dr. Priestley’s letter to you, together with another which I received from him last night. Indeed I don’t know whether to be glad or Sorry on account of his rejection of Lord Shelburne’s proposal. I love him and am heartily concerned for him and wish he was better provided for. I think myself extremely obliged to you for mentioning...
1377To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Smith, 1 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I reciev’d thy Letter of the 6. Feby. but not till after the dissolution of the late Assembly which I believe was in consequence of a request they made at the close of their last Session after they had granted the money requested for the supply of the Troops and were on good terms with the Governor, the matter in dispute being amicably settled. The present...
1378To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 6 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since my last I am favored with yours of the 4th [?] 14 and 16 July by the Captain’s Osborne All and Sparks, the first dated at Preston, where I find you have been making happy by your Presence a good Old Woman and her four Daughters. Captain All told us he never saw you look better than when he left London so [that] we were pleasing ourselves with the...
1379To Benjamin Franklin from Mr. Jesser, 7 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Jesser presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin and is sorry he had not the Pleasure of finding him at home at any of the times he called. The Governors of the London Hospital will be much obliged to the Doctor if he will write to Mr. Colden and Mr. Dixon by this day’s Mail what the Dr. thinks to be necessary on the State of the Case which Mr. Jesser...
1380To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 9 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society J’arrive de la campagne ou j’ai passé deux jours, et j’ai enfin trouvé a mon arrivée le manuscrit de la traduction de vos oeuvres par M. Lesqui (le premontré) qu’il avoit depuis si longtems egarée, et pour quoi je l’avois beaucoup harcelé surtout depuis une quinzaine de jours. En consequence, vous pouvez compter que je vais dès aujourd’huy me mettre à...
1381To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 12 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (mutilated): American Philosophical Society I inclose three Bills of Exchange the Amount of your last Years Salary drawn by Sterlg. John Wilcocks on Alexr. and Jas. Baillie for £142 9 s. 6½ d. Do Do for 166 15 s. 3½ d. Daniel Roberdeau on John Trevanion Esqr. 190
1382To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 13 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I informed you by the Packet which sailed a few Days ago, that I had received yours of the 14th. and 15th. of July, and 8th. of August, but that the one you mention to have wrote to me on the 3d. of Augst. at Mr. Sargent’s was not come to hand. My Mother, however, has I find received one of that Date from you by the Packet, which makes me suspect that mine...
1383To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 13 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your favour dated July 22 and am very happy that my Letter gave you satisfaction: I am only concern’d that the length and frequency of them, will be tedious and troublesome to You. I am glad to find by your Letter just received for my Father, that you are well enough recovered from the Gout to be in the N England Coffee House. In my last I...
1384To Benjamin Franklin from the Pennsylvania Assembly Committee of Correspondence, 16 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress We transmit inclosed the Resolves of the House appointing us their Committee of Correspondence, and you their Agent to transact the Affairs of this Province in Great Britain. The Instructions given by former Assemblies, respecting the Trade and Commerce and other general Rights, and Liberties of America, have been so full and explicit, that nothing material occurs in...
1385A Committee of the Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital to Franklin, David Barclay, and John Fothergill, 20 October … (Franklin Papers)
Minutebook copy: Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia It is with much satisfaction we received Intelligence from our Friend David Barclay, by his Letter of the 27th Augst. That, “by Order of the Court of Chancery there is transferred to you, for the use of the Pennsylvania Hospital, Seven thousand, six hundred and thirty four pounds 11 s. 1 d. three per Cent reduced Bank Annuities, Also that...
1386To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hewson, 22 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Mother hopes you receiv’d a Letter from Mr. Collinson, for she desir’d him to write to you one evening about a Bill which he told her was not accepted. The enclos’d are all that came since you heard last from us. Mr. Strahan presents his Respects to you and begs the Favour of your Company at Dinner next Tuesday to meet Sir John Pringle and some body...
1387To Benjamin Franklin from James Hutton, 23 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope you will excuse my troubling you in the Country, if I could have found you in Town I had not. Yet I hope this will give you some pleasure as well as Trouble. I call’d in Craven Street found them busy in moving and Mrs. Stevenson much engaged. I have just received the inclosed printed Paper from Paris, and as I have but this one, beg the favour of you...
1388To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 28 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je travaille autant qu’il est en moi à remplir mes engagemens, en refondant en entier la traduction de vos excellens ouvrages; mais je sens trop ce qui me manque pour esperer de rendre la copie digne de l’original. Trouvez bon que je vous demande quelques eclaircissemens à mesure que j’avancerai. Je ne trouve point dans le dictionaire le mot orreries page...
1389To Benjamin Franklin from William Henly, [28 October? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this morning received the [enclosed] Letter from a friend at Lewes, and though it may contain nothing that is new or very material, yet I take the liberty of sending it to you thinking it may employ a few leisure minutes if you have any such. I this morning left at Mr. Nairnes a drawing for an instrument to shew your beautiful experiments with the...
1390To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 29 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I writ to you on the 13th. Inst. by Capt. All, and informed you that yours of the 3d. of Augst. was not come to hand; since which I have received it by the Septr. Packet. What prevented it from coming by the Augst. Packet, as my Mother’s of the same Date did, I know not. I have likewise received yours of the 17th. of Augst. by Sutton (I believe,) and your...
1391To Benjamin Franklin from William Marshall, 30 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I beg leave to lay before you an affair very interesting to all in our Communion and to some thousands of other religious denominations in this extensive province. Ten petitions from sundry parts of the province were laid before our Legislative body last winter Setting forth the complication of grievances we labour under arising from our Conscientious Scruples about...
1392To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, [3 November 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have to acknowledge Receipt [of your letter of?] 22 August per Falconer. Captain Falconer has left his Ship, as she is going to Carolina for a Frieght of Rice, he purposes staying at Home this Winter. At the Request of Mr. Baynton, I send you an Extract of a Letter from Mr. Hooper a surveyor, to him, respecting the Western Boundary of this Province &c....
1393The Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital to Franklin, David Barclay, and John Fothergill, 4–7 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
Minutebook copy: Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia This accompanies duplicate of our last since which we have received Benja. Franklin’s favour of the [ blank ]. In pursuance of what we proposed, we have since drawn on you the following Bills at thirty days sight vizt. No.1 payable to James Pearson for £100. 2 ditto to ditto 100. 3 ditto to ditto 175. £375. 4 ditto to Joseph King sign’d by...
1394To Benjamin Franklin from John Bartram, 11 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have here before me thy kind letter of august 22 1772. I sowed the Rhubarb seed in two places the one in the sun the other in A shady cool place. That which was in the cool place growed the leaves was as big as the palm of my hand but not palmated perhaps it may be next year. The Tarnup seed came up well growed large and tasted well and is by some...
1395To Benjamin Franklin from Frederik van Westerholt, 12 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society La lecture de votre projet d’un voyage par Souscription pour porter les commodités de la vie et tous nos avantages et jouissances Européennes aux contrées éloignées qui en sont privées, que j’ai trouvé traduit litteralement dans le Tome Second des Ephemerides du Citoyen de cette année 1772, qui ne m’est parvenue que depuis quelques heures, ma tellement...
1396To Benjamin Franklin from Nathaniel Falconer, 15 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This serves to acquaint you I have sent you by Captn. Sutton one barrel of Newtown Pippens, one Cask of shell Bark Hickory nutts and two Kegs of bread which I hope will come safe to hand as the ship is going a voyage that was very disagreeable to me. I have concluded to stay at home this Winter, so that I shant have the Pleasure of keeping Christmas with...
1397To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 16 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did resevef yours by Capt. Folkner but as he dus not Saile to London I have sente to you by Capt. Suttun who was so verey obliging as to Cole to see me two Barrels of apels which I hope will provef good. I Cold not get sume Indea meel and Buck wheet flower but I shall by next opertunety. Salley and the Child is gon up to stay with mrs. Franklin while...
1398To Benjamin Franklin from a Committee of the Managers of the Philadelphia Silk Filature, 17 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society The new Elected Managers of the Filature met last Evening with a View of acknowledging thy late letters but found the Catharine Captain Sutton would depart so suddenly, that there was not Time, and therefore requested us to ask their excuse for the delay. And to forward said Captain Sutton’s Bill of Loading for two Trunks of Silk, the Produce of this Year,...
1399To Benjamin Franklin from Henry Marchant, 21 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Newport Historical Society Hurried by one Circumstance and another since my Return, I have not been able till now to sit down to acknowledge my Obligations to my London Friends, and particularly to you Sir. However late, I do most sincerely acknowledge myself highly Obliged for the many Marks of Politness and disinterested Friendship conferred upon me. It was my...
1400To Benjamin Franklin from William Henly, [26 November? 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have Received your very obliging favour, and take the first opportunity of returning you my most sincere thanks for the trouble I have given you. I have done very little in Electricity since I had the pleasure of seeing you, one appearance however I beg leave to trouble you with, as I have never met with one of the kind before. Having charged my 6 Gallon...
1401To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 28 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu la lettre dont vous m’avez honoré en date du 12e. 9bre. avec un p.s. du 16. Je suis au moins à la moitié de ma traduction de votre in 4 o . et j’espere l’achever sur la fin de l’année, ou dans les commencemens de l’autre. Non laboratur ubi amatur , disoit st. Augustin. Vous ne sauriez douter que je ne reçoive avec plaisir, que je...
1402To Benjamin Franklin from William Henly, 28 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
AD and draft: American Philosophical Society; printed in the Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions …, LXIV (1774), 403–6. The Description and use, of a new Conductor for Experiments in Electricity , contrived by Mr. H——and executed by Mr. Edward Nairne. A. A Tube of Glass 2 feet in length, 2 Inches diameter. B. C. Balls with a ferril of Brass (2 Inches long, to each) which are to be...
1403To Benjamin Franklin from David Colden, 30 November 1772 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft ): New-York Historical Society The attention you pay to every Invention that promises either utility or amusement to Mankind induces Me to communicate to you a very simple Machine which I have made this Year for sowing Seeds in Rows. I am happy in haveing an opportunity of addressing you upon any Thing that may be worth your Notice; If it shall prove of no real value to others, it...
1404To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg: Dedicatory Epistle, [late 1772] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in [Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg,] Petit code de la raison humaine; ou Exposition succincte de ce que la raison dicte à tous les hommes, pour éclairer leur conduite, et assurer leur bonheur ( London, 1773 ) , pp. [ v– ] vi . Vous reconnutes dans la premiere esquisse de ce Petit Code, l’effusion simple et naïve de votre propre coeur; j’ai achevé de le developer autant que je l’ai pu, et...
1405To Benjamin Franklin from Theophylact Bache, 10 December 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your much esteemed favor of 19th Sepr. was handed me by Mr. Alexander Chysholm. I shall pay due attention to this stranger, and shall be happy in doing him service. He has been to Phila: and is much disappointed in his expectations of setling there. He intends waiting here until Spring, before he determines what to do: We hope to get him well fixed at...
1406To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, [19 December? 1772]: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), II , 129–33; ALS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society The document that follows is in two parts, a printed extract and the conclusion of a letter in manuscript. The two are quite different in subject matter; neither contains any evidence of precisely when it was written, or of its belonging...
1407To Benjamin Franklin from Hannah Walker, 22 December 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received your kind Present for which I return you a thousand thanks for such great Benevolence and hope your Charitable Distributations will be Doubly restored from above and I have sent my sons Indentures as Mrs. Stevenson Informed you Desired I should. I am Extremly sorry to hear of Mr. Williams Death and that my Son is removed because he seemed so...
1408To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Williams, Jr., 26 December 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This being the last month in the Year, I have been ’till now busily employed in casting up and settling my affairs, and as I never form’d very great Expectations, I find myself very content with the result. It appears that I have good enough to pay all I owe, and £300 Sterling left being the clear profits of last years Business. In the last Account I gave...
1409To Benjamin Franklin from William Henly, [30 December 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send you herewith the paper of your experiments, and shall think myself under great obligation for the addition. I am quite at a loss what to think or say about the Bell. The effects are so contrary to the notions I [had] entertained of Electricity; and yet I scarse know how to disbelieve my Friends relation, for though by his Letter he appears to be no...
1410To Benjamin Franklin from Clément Noguères and Geneviève-Elisabeth Belamy Le Veillard, [before 5 September 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Printed form with MS insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society Vous étes prié, de la part de Monsieur le Curé & de Madame Le Veillard , Trésoriere des Pauvres, de vous trouver à l’Assemblée de Charité qui se tiendra dans l’Eglise Royale & Paroissiale de Notre-Dame-de-Graces de Passy, à l’issue des Vépres, Dimanche prochain 5 7bre 1779 Il y aura Prédication, par mr L’abbé gautier...