751From Benjamin Franklin to the Printer of The London Chronicle, 30 December 1758 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle: or Universal Evening Post , December 28–30, 1758; draft: American Philosophical Society. When people consider the supply of Twelve Millions as necessary for the service of the ensuing year, the greatness of the object astonishes; and they are apt to say, Whence can so vast a sum arise? Can England possibly bear the continuance of a war at so enormous an...
752From Benjamin Franklin to [William Strahan], [1759–62, 1764–75?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Blumhaven Library (1957) I have perus’d the Parts you put into my Hands of the new Work on Commerce, &c. and must own myself extreamly pleas’d with it. It is a most valuable Collection of Facts which I should think every one in Britain, Ireland and the Colonies who has any thing to do with Publick Affairs, or is desirous of understanding that very interesting Subject, would gladly...
753From Benjamin Franklin to Isaac Norris, 1759 (Franklin Papers)
Duplicate Yale University Library When I first began to treat with the Proprietors, they desired I would put down in Writing the principal Points of Complaint which were to be the Subjects of Conference between us, that they might previously consider them. I accordingly deliver’d them the Paper herewith enclos’d, called Heads of Complaint , in which I confin’d myself to those that related...
754List of Franklin Birthdays, [1759] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Birthdays of the Children of Josiah and Ann Franklin Eliz. Franklin, Mar. 2. 1677/8. Died Aug. 25. 1759. Samuel May 16. 1681 Mar. 30. 1720 Hannah May 25. 1683 April 3. 1723 Josiah Aug. 23. 1685 Went to Sea, never heard of Ann Jan. 5. 1686/7 June 16. 1729 Joseph Feb. 6. 1687/8
755From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, [1759?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress At length I have found an Hour, in which I think I may chat with my dear good Girl; free from Interruption. The Attention you have always shown to every thing you think agreable to me, demands my most grateful Acknowledgements. I have receiv’d the Garters you have so kindly knit for me; they are of the only Sort that I can wear, having worn none of any kind for 20...
756Comments on Hoadly and Wilson’s Electrical Pamphlet, 28 January 1759 (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society; italicized text summarized from Dr. [Benjamin] Hoadly and Mr. [Benjamin] Wilson, Observations on a Series of Electrical Experiments (London, 1756). (Yale University Library) In August 1756 Benjamin Hoadly and Benjamin Wilson, English electrical experimenters, published a 76-page pamphlet entitled Observations on a Series of Electrical Experiments . In it...
757Petition to the King in Council, [2 February 1759] (Franklin Papers)
I. Draft: American Philosophical Society. II. Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; also two additional copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania During the Indian conference at Easton in November 1756, the Delaware chieftain Teedyuscung, dramatically accused the Proprietors of having defrauded his people of lands in northeastern Pennsylvania. Governor Denny promptly relayed this charge...
758Preface to Dr. Heberden’s Pamphlet on Inoculation, 16 February 1759 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in [William Heberden], Some Account of the Success of Inoculation for the Small-Pox in England and America. Together with Plain Instructions, By which any Person may be enabled to perform the Operation, and conduct the Patient through the Distemper . London: Printed by W. Strahan, M,DCC,LIX. (Historical Society of Pennsylvania) Since at least 1730, Franklin had advocated inoculation...
759From Benjamin Franklin to Isaac Norris, 19 March 1759 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library This unusually full and explicit letter describes more clearly than virtually any other contemporary document the attitude of leading members of the ministry on some of the constitutional questions which were to become increasingly important in the relations between the colonies and the mother country during the next fifteen or sixteen years. In the light of what...
760From Benjamin Franklin to Israel Pemberton, 19 March 1759 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Boston Public Library I received your Favour of December 11, and January 19. By those Ships you will receive some of the printed Enquiries, to which Post’s first Journal is added, which being more generally interesting, occasions the other to go into more Hands and be more read. Extracts of your and Mr. Thomson’s Letters are also added to make the Thing more compleat. Mr. Hall has Orders...
761From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Holme, 27 March 1759 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received your Favour of the 17th. Instant, with the Accounts, which are clear and satisfactory. And as you are so kind as to offer any farther Service in this Affair, may I take the Freedom to request you would make and send me a Draft of such a Discharge for me to sign, as will be proper and satisfactory to Mr. Fisher? If the Money could be paid by...
762From Benjamin Franklin to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, April 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Public Record Office, London Pursuant to William Pitt’s promises, conveyed to the colonial governors in letters of Dec. 30, 1757, and Dec. 9, 1758, that Parliament would be urged “to grant a proper Consideration” to those colonies which had vigorously supported the war effort against France (above, p. 291 n), the chancellor of the Exchequer laid before the House of Commons, April 26,...
763From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [c. 7 April 1759] (Franklin Papers)
LS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society [ First part missing ] By the same I shall write to dear Precious, Cousin Debby, and some other Friends. I have now only to let you know what I have sent in these Ships. There are two or 3 Boxes; Mr. Neate shipt them, but I know not on board which Ship, as he has not sent me the Bills of Lading. They were shipt on board [the] Cornelia Capt. Smith...
764From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 7 April 1759 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library Mr. Galloway I have your Favours of November 18 and February 9. Since my last our old Agent Mr. Patridge is deceas’d. You see something of my Friend Mr. Jackson in his Opinion and private Paper of Advice on our Affairs, which I last year transmitted to you. He is a Gentleman of considerable Fortune, and no Man in England has a greater Regard for the Colonies. He...
765From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 8 April 1759 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia I have yours of Novr. 20. Decr. 5 and 8, and Jany. 18, with a Postscript of Feb. 5. Your prudent Conduct in my Absence, with regard to the Parties, as well as in every other respect, gives me great Satisfaction. If I do not correspond so fully and punctually with you as you expected, consider the Situation and Business I am in, the...
766From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 12 April 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Calling here just now, I find a Bag not taken away, and as my Letters are gone or going, part by the Ships now at Portsmouth and part per Packet to be dispatch’d on Saturday, I write this Line to let you know we are well, and that you may not be uneasy at not having one Letter by this Ship. Now I think on’t; there was a Trunk sent last year by the...
767From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 4 May 1759 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Smyth, Writings , III , 478–9. Hearing that you was in the Park last Sunday, I hop’d for the Pleasure of seeing you yesterday at the Oratorio in the Foundling Hospital; but, tho’ I look’d with all the Eyes I had, not excepting even those I carry in my Pocket I could not find you; and this Morning your good Mama, has receiv’d a Line from you, by which we learn that...
768From Benjamin Franklin to the Printer of The London Chronicle, 9 May 1759 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle: or, Universal Evening Post , May 10–12, 1759. Paul Leicester Ford first identified Franklin as the author of this paper in 1889, and Verner W. Crane established the matter definitely in 1950 by pointing out the similarity of thought and treatment in certain passages with others of Franklin’s writings. Bigelow printed it in Works , IV , 244–58, but with the...
769Certificate of Nomination to the Royal Society, 17 May 1759 (Franklin Papers)
DS : The Royal Society, London Franklin was elected a fellow of the Royal Society on April 29, 1756, and was formally admitted on Nov. 24, 1757. He attended meetings regularly, was a frequent guest at dinners of the Royal Society Club, and took an active part in the Society’s business, being elected a member of the Council in 1760, 1766, 1767, 1772. Between 1759 and 1774 he joined in...
770Remarks on Thomas Penn’s Estimate of the Province, 29 May 1759 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in [Richard Jackson], An Historical Review of the Constitution and Government of Pensylvania … London: Printed for R. Griffiths, in Paternoster-Row, 1759, pp. 431–8. In the issue of May 26–29, 1759, The London Chronicle announced that An Historical Review of the Constitution and Government of Pensylvania was “This day published.” So appeared at last a work with which Franklin had been...
771From Benjamin Franklin to William Heberden, 7 June 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard College Library Tourmaline crystals, brought to Europe from the East by the Dutch early in the eighteenth century, began to attract the attention of electrical scientists when they found that, if heated, they had the power of attracting and repelling ashes and other light substances. The German scientist Aepinus began to study this pyroelectrical property and wrote a paper in...
772From Benjamin Franklin to Isaac Norris, 9 June 1759 (Franklin Papers)
Duplicate: Yale University Library It gives me great Pleasure to learn by yours of the 12th. of April, that the Bill taxing the Proprietary Estate would pass. I believe he will not dare to oppose it here; but if he does, I think it will bring the Point to a Decision the shortest Way, and that it must in all Probability be decided against him. The Firmness of the Assembly on this Occasion...
773From Benjamin Franklin to James Wright, 9 July 1759 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; transcript: John L. W. Mifflin, Middlebush, N.J. (1955) By the Cornelia Capt. Smith I sent you in a Box to Mrs. Franklin Norden’s Egypt. cost £4: 4: 0 Maintenon’s Letters and a Book of Husbandry 0: 6: 0 A Thermometer 1: 11: 6 £6: 1: 6 which I hope are got safe to hand. There has been at my House one Mary James
774From Benjamin Franklin to James Wright, 9 July 1759 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: William L. Clements Library When Mr. Hunter came to Town, I conferr’d with him on the Subject of Supporting a regular constant Post between Charles Town in South Carolina and Williamsburgh in Virginia, agreeable to what Pass’d when I had the Pleasure of Meeting you at the General Post Office. He was Concerned to hear, that by the Death of Mr. Fareis who we had appointed to Carry on that...
775From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 14 July 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter of Jany. 31. You are very good in not resenting some Part of my Letter of September 16. which I confess was a little rude; but you fatfolks can’t bear Malice. Our Cousin Fisher and her Husband are both dead since I saw them. She surviv’d him but a few Days. What she had in her Disposal was but little; and it was divided into 7...
776From Benjamin Franklin to Ebenezer Kinnersley, 28 July 1759 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , XIII (1889), 247–8. I received your favour of Sept. 9 and should have answer’d it sooner, but delay’d in Expectation of procuring for you some Book that describes and explains the Uses of the Instruments you are at a loss about. I have not yet got such a Book but shall make further Enquiry. Does not Desaguliers...
777From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 6 August 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you already by this Ship, but have since receiv’d yours and Sally’s of June 18. and 21. which gave me great Pleasure, as your Letters always do; and the greater as it was long that I had not heard from you. I have wrote you several long Letters this Year, and suppose they got to hand at last, tho’ it seems by yours they have been long by the Way:...
778From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 29 August 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter is the first document connected with the long trip the Franklins took to the north of England and to Scotland in the summer and early autumn of 1759. The honors paid Franklin and the new friends he made mark this journey as one of the high points of his first mission to Great Britain. Documentation is inadequate to provide precise dates for the...
779From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 6 September 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Your agreable Letter of the 4th August, is just come to hand, being sent back to me from London hither. I have been a Month on my Journey; but the first Thing I did after my Arrival here was to enquire at Mr. Kincaid’s whether you were yet in Scotland. He told me he believ’d you were out of Town, but not return’d to England, and might be heard of at Mrs. Scot’s....
780From Benjamin Franklin to Sir Alexander Dick, [5 October 1759] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. Ailsa Joan Mary Dick-Cunyngham, Prestonfield, Edinburgh (1955) Dr. Franklin and his Son present their respectful Compliments to Sir Alexander Dick, and shall attend him to Preston-field tomorrow with great Pleasure. They are extreamly oblig’d to Sir Alexander for his kind Invitation to spend some Days at his Seat in the Country, but doubt the short Stay they must make in these Parts...
781From Benjamin Franklin to Sir Alexander and Lady Dick: Joys of Prestonfield Adieu!, [15–20 October? 1759] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Mrs. Ailsa Joan Mary Dick-Cunyngham, Prestonfield, Edinburgh (1955) Verses by Doctor Franklin to Sir Alexander and Lady Dick many years ago wrote at Coldstream on his return to England. ——October 1759 Verses addressd to Lady Dick by Robert Alexander Esquire — October 1759 1 2 3 4 The exact date when BF composed and sent these verses cannot be determined, but it was probably during the...
782A Description of Those, Who, at Any Rate, Would Have a Peace with France, 24 November 1759 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle: or Universal Evening Post , November 22–24, 1759. The two prevailing motives among us, which strongly bias great numbers of people, at this time, to wish for a peace with France, let the terms be ever so dishonourable, ever so disadvantageous, or likely to prove of ever so short a duration, are Power and Self-interest. As to the First, there is a set of men,...
783Humourous Reasons for Restoring Canada, 27 December 1759 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle: or, Universal Evening Post , December 25–27, 1759. News of the British victory on the Plains of Abraham, Sept. 13, 1759, and of the capitulation of Quebec five days later reached London October 16. Together with British victories in other theaters of operation in recent months, this conquest seemed to many observers to promise an end to the war in the near...
784From Benjamin Franklin to Henry S. Woodfall, [before 22 September 1773] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society This note went to the recipient, then to a mutual friend, then back to Woodfall and eventually back to Craven Street. The note was on a covering sheet around the manuscript of the following document, “An Edict by the King of Prussia,” and explained the typographical form that Franklin wished to have given to his satire. On the verso of the sheet Woodfall...
785From Benjamin Franklin to John Baskerville, [1760?] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The General Evening Post . ( London ), Aug. 9–11, 1763; The London Chronicle: or, Universal Evening Post , Aug. 11–13, 1763; The St. James’s Chronicle; or, The British Evening-Post , Aug. 13, 1763. In the spring of 1758 Franklin had subscribed through Dr. Fothergill for six copies of Baskerville’s new edition of Vergil and had ordered all six bound in vellum and...
786From Benjamin Franklin to [Ann Penn?], [1760] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Chicago Library If the proposed identification of the addressee is correct, this letter is the first of several among Franklin’s papers relating to a complicated situation in the Penn family. William Penn 3d (1703–1747) had become by 1731 the sole surviving grandson of the founder of Pennsylvania in the senior line, that is, through William Penn’s first marriage, to...
787From Benjamin Franklin to ——, [1760?] (Franklin Papers)
Draft (fragment): Library of Congress This fragment in Franklin’s hand is written on what appears to be the top segment of a page of letter paper; a caret in the margin of the first line seems to indicate that it was intended, according to his usual method, as an insertion in the body of what he had drafted on the opposite page. Neither the addressee nor the date is known. The wording suggests...
788From Benjamin Franklin to Sir Alexander Dick, 3 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library After we took leave of you, we spent some Weeks in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and at length arriv’d at our House here in good Health, having made a Tour of near 1500 Miles, in which we had enjoy’d a great deal of Pleasure, and receiv’d a great deal of useful Information. But no part of our Journey affords us, on Recollection, a more pleasing Remembrance, than...
789From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Kames, 3 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Scottish Record Office I ought long before this time to have acknowledg’d the Receipt of your Favour of Nov. 2. Your Lordship was pleas’d kindly to desire to have all my Publications. I had daily Expectations of procuring some of them from a Friend to whom I formerly sent them when I was in America, and postpon’d Writing till I should obtain them; but at length he tells me he cannot find...
790From Benjamin Franklin to John Hughes, 7 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Draft (incomplete): American Philosophical Society On my Return from our Northern Journey, I found several of your obliging Favours; and have now before me those of June 20. July 4. 25, Aug. 9. 22, 23, Sept. 25. and two of Oct. 3. for which please to accept my hearty Thanks. I congratulate you on the glorious Successes of the [year p]ast. There has been for some time a Talk of [Peace], and...
791From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 9 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Duplicate: Yale University Library The enclos’d are Copies of my last to you per the Pacquet: Capt. House, who talk’d of sailing two Months ago is still here, but probably will now go in a Day or two, and by him I purpose to send this Letter. Since Govr. Denny and the Assembly have at length come to so good an Agreement, I cannot but join with you in Wishes that he had been continued. But...
792From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 9 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received a Letter or two from you, in which I perceive you have misunderstood and taken unkindly something I said to you in a former jocular one of mine concerning Charity . I forget what it was exactly, but I am sure I neither express nor meant any personal Censure on you or any body. If anything, it was a general Reflection on our Sect; we zealous...
793Minute of the Associates of the Late Dr. Bray, 17 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
MS : University of Virginia Library At a meeting of the Associates of the late Dr. Bray called for Jan. 17, 1760, to enable the Society to avail itself of Franklin’s advice (see above, pp. 12–13), he recommended New York, Williamsburg, and Newport as the best places to establish the three Negro schools which the Society intended to found in America in addition to the one already started in...
794From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 14 February 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I see I must overcome the Indolence so natural to old Men, and write now and then to my dear good Girl, or I shall seldom have the Pleasure of a Line from her; and indeed it is scarce reasonable in me to expect it. I receiv’d your kind Congratulations on occasion of the new Year; and though you had not mine in writing, be assured that I did and do daily...
795From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 21 February 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; transcript: Harvard College Library (Sparks) Since I wrote you last, I have receiv’d yours of Nov. 7. and 29, Dec. 17. and Jan. 4. the last yesterday by Capt. Monck. I rejoice to hear you and Sally and Mother are well. I have lately been much indispos’d with an Epidemical Cold, that has lain greatly in my Head; but being just now cupp’d by Dr. Fothergill’s...
796From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 26 February 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The above is a Copy of mine per Capt. House Since which I have receiv’d your Favour of Jan. 8. but one you mention to have wrote of Dec. 2. is not come to hand. Nothing material has pass’d in our Affairs since my last, the Proprietor not having yet presented the Laws. They are at present under Consideration of our Council on both sides. You desire some Information...
797From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 27 February 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Lemar doing me the Favour to call on me, and acquaint me with his going to Philadelphia, I write this Line to acquaint you that I am now quite well of my late Indisposition, which I mention’d in former Letters. By Capt. Bolitho I send you two Saucepans, plated inside with Silver instead of tinning. I bought them at Sheffield, because I thought they...
798From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 5 March 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d the Enclos’d some time since from Mr. Strahan. I afterwards spent an Evening in Conversation with him on the Subject. He was very urgent with me to stay in England and prevail with you to remove hither with Sally. He propos’d several advantageous Schemes to me which appear’d reasonably founded. His Family is a very agreable one; Mrs. Strahan a...
799From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 18 March 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosphical Society Being just told by Mr. Wickoff, that he goes tomorrow for Philadelphia, I write this Line here to let you know I am pretty well recover’d of a slight Illness I lately had, the same that affected me when I came down first from Gnadenhut, if you remember it, a Pain and Giddiness in my Head, I have been cupp’d, blooded, physick’d and at last blister’d for it;...
800From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [28 March 1760?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yesterday I receiv’d your [Letter] of Feb. 10. in which you mention that it was some Months since you heard from me. During my Journey I wrote several times to you, particularly from Liverpole and Glasgow; and since my Return some very long Letters that might have been with you before your last to me, but I suppose the severe Winter on your Coast, among...