301From Benjamin Franklin to [Edward Bancroft], 31 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society When at Bt.— acquaint the People that have a mind to remove to America, that they may do it with great Safety to themselves & Effects.— It is said there are great Numbers in those Parts. Represent the happy Living of Thousands of Families that have already passed from thence. On Occasion, State the Advantages to those that remain, of a free Trade with...
302From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Bancroft, 4 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress You will see by the enclos’d that a Demand is made of replacing the Things belonging to The Serapis which Comme. Jones borrowed from her and took on board the Alliance when he changed ships. I request you to manage this affair with him in your usual Prudence. I am ever, my Dear friend, Yours most affectionately. When Jones, on BF ’s orders, turned over his prize, the...
303From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Nathaniel Bancroft, 26 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have received two Letters from you, and am pleas’d to see that you improve in your Writing and Language, and to read your dutiful Expressions of Respect and Love for your Parents, which is very commendable. My Grandson Benja. Franklin Bache, who is lately return’d from Geneva, answer’d for me your first Letter, and hopes you receiv’d it, tho’ you mention nothing...
304From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Banks, 27 July 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library; copy: Library of Congress In this letter, prompted by Banks’s overture of May 28, Franklin rejoices in the peace, muses on the folly of war, and reclaims his place in the British scientific community, as he had long wished to do. Erasing eight years of estrangement, he notes with pleasure the recent discoveries made by “our” Society. By way of reciprocation, he adds a...
305From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Banks, November 22–25, 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress; incomplete AL (draft): University of Pennsylvania Library; press copy of LS : Massachusetts Historical Society I received your friendly Letter of the 7th. Inst. I am glad my Letters respecting the Aerostatic Experiment were not unacceptable. But as more perfect Accounts of the Construction and Management of that Machine have been and will be published before your...
306From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Banks, 15 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library; ALS (draft): University of Pennsylvania Library You have probably had enough of my Correspondence on the Subject of the Balloons, yet I cannot forbear sending you Mr Charles’s Account of his Voyage, wch contains some Circumstances that are curious & interesting. And perhaps you may, for a Conclusion, have one more Letter from me by him, if he makes the Flight, said to be...
307From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Banks, 30 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library; press copy of ALS : Harvard University Library I did myself the honour of writing to you the Beginning of last Week, and I sent you by the Courier, M. Faujas’s Book upon the Balloons, which I hope you have receiv’d. I did hope to have given you to day an Account of Mr Charles’s grand Balloon, which was to have gone up yesterday; but the filling it with inflammable Air...
308From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Banks, 9 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
LS : British Library; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I have just received the very kind friendly Letter you were so good as to write to me by Dr. Bonssonnet [Broussonet]. Be assured that I long earnestly for a Return of those peaceful Times, when I could sit down in sweet Society with my English philosophic Friends, communicating to each other new Discoveries, and proposing...
309From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Banks, 8 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Royal Society; AL (draft): University of Pennsylvania Library; press copy of LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress After heavy winds and rain had marred the demonstration of his hotair balloon at the Réveillon manufactory on September 12, Etienne Montgolfier and his collaborators had just one week to prepare a new balloon to be launched before the royal family...
310From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Banks, 21 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Library I received your kind Letter of the 13th Instant,—acquainting me that the Royal Society have instructed you to present to me in their Name one of the Gold Medals they have struck in honour of Capt. Cook. I am extreamly sensible of this fresh Mark of their favourable Regard for me. They have always been very good to me, and I beg you would be pleased to offer them my...