2591From Benjamin Franklin to Elizabeth Hubbart Partridge, 13 January 1772: fragment (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft; incomplete): American Philosophical Society I received your angry-a-little Letter by Mr. Marchant, written to me “tho’ I had suffered a preceding one to remain two Years unanswered.” If I did so, which I doubt, I was exceedingly to blame, and must desire you to excuse me in consideration of the many I have to write and the little time I have for Writing. I am sure I...
2592From Benjamin Franklin to Adamoli, 29 January 1780 [i.e., 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 22. Instant, with a Copy of the Vessels in which I find myself mention’d but too advantageously.— Please to accept my thankful Acknowledgements.— I do not perfectly comprehend your Plan of finding the different Relations of Weights, Measures, &c. by means of Compass. But I believe the English Society of...
2593From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 3 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour to write to me of the 24th past. I am glad you have been at Brest, as your Presence there has contributed to expedite the Operations of Capt. Landais in Refitting his Ship. I think with you, that more has been made of the Conspiracy than was necessary; but that it would have been well...
2594From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Gardoqui & fils, 4 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Your respected Letter of the 25th. past came duly to hand. Captain Haraden (whose Bravery in taking and retaking the Privateer give me great Pleasure) is very good in offering the Spare Room in his Ship for the Service of the States. Having lately received the enclosed List of Articles wanted in America which came under a Cover directed to me without a Letter and not...
2595From Benjamin Franklin to John Jay, 30 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Royal Library, Windsor; AL (draft) and two copies: Library of Congress You acquaint me that Bills have appear’d drawn on you in March last, and ask very properly if this can be reconciled to the obvious Dictates of Prudence & Policy?— It cannot. And if you are unable to pay them, they must be protested: For it will not be in my Power to help you. And I see that nothing will cure the...
2596From Benjamin Franklin to Jean-Baptiste LeRoy, 21 September 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Bibliothèque Nationale I received your Favour by M. L’Abbé Taglieri, and am oblig’d to you for the Acquaintance of so agreable and intelligent a Man. I have introduc’d him, as you desir’d, to Sir John Pringle, who is much pleas’d with him, and desires me to present his best Respects whenever I write to you. I shall not fail to use my Endeavours to procure for your Friend some of the...
Passy, 9 September 1778. RC in Adams’ hand PPAmP . printed (with enclosure): Magazine of American History, 12:462–463 (Nov. 1884). Franklin and Adams sent the Council a letter of 10 Aug. from Thomas Hutchinson to Dr. James Lloyd of Boston, concerning land owned by Hutchinson’s sister, Grizell Sanford, and enclosing his and his sister’s powers of attorney. Franklin and Adams had opened the...
2598From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Norris, 2 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The enclos’d Account was settled by the late Commissioners, on which there is due to me £26 17 s . 10 d . It will oblige me, if without Inconvenience you can advance me the Money. The new Commissioners will at any time sign an Order for it; I am Yours affectionately [ In the margin: ] 26. 17. 10 B Franklin 90. 12. 0 Wm. Franklin.
2599From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Willson Peale, 4 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your obliging Letter of April 21 and it gave me great Pleasure to hear that you had met with such Encouragement at Philadelphia, and that you succeed so well in your Business in your native Country. If I were to advise you, it should be, by great Industry and Frugality to secure a Competency as early in Life as may be: For as your Profession...
2600From Benjamin Franklin to [Pierre Delaunay?] des Landes, 23 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress Not understanding well enough the french language and the technical Terms used in the Description of your Observatory, I cannot form, from the description such an Idea of its Situation and Circumstances, as might enable to me to Answer the Questions you propose to me. But as my Learned and Ingenious friend Mr. LeRoy, Member of the Academy of Sciences, is perfectly...