4051From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 22 March 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Stan. V. Henkels, Catalogue No. 1262 (July 1, 1920), pp. 15–16. I must retract the Charge of Idleness in your Studies, when I find you have gone thro’ the doubly difficult Task of reading so big a Book on an abstruse Subject and in a foreign Language. The Question you were about to ask is a very sensible one. The Hand that holds the Bottle receives and conducts...
4052From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas-François Dalibard, 20 March 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; translation of extract reprinted from Gazette d’Epidaure, ou recueil de nouvelles de médecine , III , no. XXXII (April 21, 1762), 256. (Bibliothèque Nationale) Je vous rends graces de la peine que vous avez bien voulu prendre pour la traduction et la publication de la Lettre de M. Kinnersley, à Paris. oyez notre Feuille Tom. III. no. vii, page 49 et suiv. On m’a envoyé d’une...
4053From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 8 March 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Your good Mama has just been saying to me that she wonders what can possibly be the Reason she has not had a Line from you for so long a time. I have made no Complaint of that kind, being conscious that by not writing my self I have forfeited all Claim to such Favour; tho’ no Letters give me more Pleasure, and I often wish to hear from you, but Indolence grows...
4054From Benjamin Franklin to Ebenezer Kinnersley, with Associated Papers, 20 February 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MSS not found; reprinted from Experiments and Observations on Electricity , 1769 edition, pp. 397–425. When Franklin included this letter to Kinnersley in the 1769 edition of Experiments and Observations on Electricity he placed immediately after it two accounts of lightning strokes in South Carolina, which he had mentioned to Kinnersley, and his own remarks on the second of these incidents....
4055Account of Expenses, 1757–1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS account book: American Philosophical Society “Account of Expences of my Voyage to England Disbursements &c.1757” [April 1, 1757] At the beginning of December 1757 Franklin set down in an account book his expenditures between April 1 and the time he sailed from New York and all the expenses he could remember since reaching England. Against the latter he entered his cash in hand and what he...
4056From Benjamin Franklin to the Trustees of the Loan Office, 13 February 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and two duplicates: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; ALS : Yale University Library Since mine of Jany. 14. most of the Bills therein mentioned as not having then appear’d, have been presented, and I have accepted three more of them, viz. the Nos. 36, 50, and 121. which makes the whole Sum accepted by me £22,500. all of which is now paid except the three above mention’d Bills, which will...
4057From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Birch, 4 February 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions , LII (1761–62), p. 456. Mr. Canton did me the favour to shew me the ingenious experiments he has described in the inclosed letter. They succeeded perfectly as he has related them; and I imagine, the communication of them must be agreeable to the curious in this branch of natural knowledge. I am, Sir, with great...
4058From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Kames, 27 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Scottish Record Office I was encourag’d by your Favour of the 22d. of November, to hope that the Beginning of the New Year would have brought me the Pleasure and Improvement I expect from the Perusal of your Elements of Criticism. As yet I hear nothing of any Copies being come to London; and I grow a little impatient. I am now so much employ’d in Preparation for my Return to America,...
4059From Benjamin Franklin to Sir Alexander Dick, 21 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library; copy (incomplete): Scottish Record Office It gives me Pleasure to learn, by yours of Nov. 12. that my young Friend Mr. Morgan has render’d himself agreable to you, and that your Health and Eyes were much better. I sent some time since to Mr. Dalrymple one of my Machines for your Chimney, who readily paid the Smith’s Bill for the same. But now, on discoursing with...
4060From Benjamin Franklin to David Hume, 21 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): Royal Society of Edinburgh; printed in full in Essays and Observations, Physical and Literary. Read before the Philosophical Society in Edinburgh, and published by them , III (Edinburgh, 1771), 129–41. In Compliance with my Lord Marishall’s Request, communicated to me by you when I last had the Pleasure of seeing you, I now send you what at present appears to me to be the...
4061From Benjamin Franklin to Sargent Aufrere & Co., 16 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Knowing as I do the present great Scarcity and Value of Money here, and the many profitable Uses it may be put to at this Time, I cannot but esteem your Undertaking to pay those Bills out of your own Cash, a Proceeding extreamly generous towards the Province; as well as particularly obliging to me. I shall not omit to express fully, my Sentiments...
4062From Benjamin Franklin to the Trustees of the Loan Office, 16 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania In mine of the 14th. Instant, which I sent away by the same Night’s Post, in hopes it would reach the Pacquet at Falmouth, I inform’d you, that I had been disappointed in my Expectations of the remaining Bills being paid by Messrs. Sargent, Aufrere and the Barclays. But this Day, in answer of my last to them, of which I sent you a Copy, I...
4063From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Leech and Charles Norris, 14 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Notwithstanding what I wrote to you of the 9th Inst, that all your Bills would be paid, which I was warranted to do by the Letter from Messrs. Sargent & Aufrere that I enclos’d to the Speaker, and another from the same wherein they inform’d me Messrs. Barclay had agreed thereto, I have now the Mortification to acquaint you, that the last named...
4064From Benjamin Franklin to Sargent Aufrere & Co., 14 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I beg Pardon for giving you any farther Trouble relating to the Colony Drafts. It is only to request you would be assured yourselves, and do me the Favour to inform Messrs. Barclays, that I had not the least Intention to subject you and them to the precarious Pleasure of the Proprietor or his Governor, for your Reimbursement, when I requested your...
4065From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Norris and Thomas Leech, 9 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania When your Drafts upon me first came to hand, the Form appearing new to me and very particular, containing as I thought an Alternative at my Choice to pay the Money in 30 Days or in 12 Months, I accepted some of them with the long Day, expecting that a Letter from you would explain your Intention in that Form; but receiving no Line on the...
4066From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Penington, 9 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I receiv’d your Favour of Oct. 21 . with one enclos’d for Mr. Penn, which I have deliver’d to him. I doubt he will not know of this Opportunity time enough to write to you, and therefore I may say for him that he appear’d well-pleas’d with your Letter, and dispos’d to follow your Advice of not selling the Mannor. The Opinion that has been long expected on...
4067From Benjamin Franklin to Sargent Aufrere & Co., 8 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania. The very obliging manner in which you have undertaken to support the Credit of the Province Drafts, demands my thankful Acknowledgments in Behalf of the Province, which I beg you to accept. Your doing it so readily and chearfully at my Instance I esteem a particular Obligation on myself. I shall not fail explaining your Motives in this...
4068From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 10 December 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have been favour’d with yours by your valuable Sons, on whose promising Worth I congratulate you and good Mrs. Babcock. I should be glad to see them oftner than I do. But young Men find in England, Amusements more agreeable than the Company of old ones. The Colonel is gone down with my Son to Bath, where I last Night had the Pleasure of hearing they were both...
4069From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 10 December 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Glassboro (N.J.) State Teachers College Enclos’d are some Letters for you, left with me by Mr. Strahan. I have some Time since bespoke the Brevier you last desired, and hope it will now soon be ready. In your last you desire to know my Mind about Remitting, the Price of Bills being so high with you. What Money I have here is chiefly in the Funds, from whence I cannot withdraw it for...
4070From Benjamin Franklin to Edmund Quincy, 10 December 1761 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Massachusetts Historical Society I should sooner have answer’d your obliging Letter of Jany. 9. but that I hoped from time to time I might be able to obtain some satisfactory Answers to your Queries. As yet I have done little, that kind of Information being look’d upon as a Part of the Mysteries of Trade, which the Possessors are very shy of communicating. But I think I am now in a Train...
4071From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas-François Dalibard, 9 December 1761 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; translation of extract reprinted from Gazette d’Epidaure, ou Recueil de Nouvelles de Médecine , III , no. XI (Feb. 6, 1762), 81. (Bibliothèque Nationale) Il y a quelques années que la guerre a interrompu notre correspondance. Mon ami le Docteur Shippen partant pour voir Paris, j’ai profité de cette occasion pour vous communiquer l’extrait ci-joint d’une Lettre que j’ai reçûe de...
4072From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, [November? 1761] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (fragments only): American Philosophical Society [ First part missing ] Billy is now down at Bath. Inclos’d is a Letter I have just receiv’d from him inviting me there. But I must not at present leave London, as I daily expect Bills drawn on me by the Trustees. I shall be glad to receive from you, and hope it is on the Way, an Account of what is due on Mr. Spoffords Mortgage, as I have...
4073From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Ringgold, 26 November 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Draft (incomplete): American Philosophical Society This note serves to introduce both the present document and the one immediately below. Lord Baltimore, the Proprietor of Maryland, and his governors and supporters in the province continuously and successfully thwarted the desire of the House of Delegates to appoint an agent to represent its interests and point of view in England independently...
4074From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Tilghman, William Murdock, Matthew Tilghman, Charles Carroll, Thomas Ringgold, and John … (Franklin Papers)
ALS not found; reprinted from National Intelligencer , July 7, 1824; draft (last part only): American Philosophical Society In mine of the 7th of August to Mr. Ringold, I acknowledg’d the Receipt of yours of May 9th, which had then just come to hand, but without the mentioned Address. Soon after, taking the Opportunity of the Vacation of Business in the Public Offices here, I went abroad and...
4075Account of Sales of Stock, [26 November 1761] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Sold for Benj: Franklin Esqr 1761 Novbr. 26 £700 4 per cents to Wm: Morris at 83½ £584. 10 – £1000 to J. Ruddell at 83⅜ 833. 15 – £1200 to S: Cazalet at 83⅜ 1000.
4076From Benjamin Franklin to Charles Norris and Thomas Leech, 17 November 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; LS duplicate, New Jersey Historical Society I have this Day received from each of you, a Notification, (dated Octob. 1. 1761) that by a Resolve of the Assembly, you are ordered immediately to draw on me for the Whole of the Parliamentary Grant to our Province for the Year 1758. As I had acquainted the House from time to time, thro’ the Speaker, with...
4077From Benjamin Franklin to the Earl of Bessborough, [October 1761] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Calling at the Board this Morning, I was informed that Application had been made by Governour Fauquier for a Commission to his Secretary as my Colleague in the American Office. It is my Duty to acquiesce in your Lordship’s Pleasure if after reading this you should think proper to gratify the Governor by such an Appointment. But I conceive that the...
4078From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 29 October 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My dear Polly’s good Mama bids me write two or three Lines by way of Apology for her so long omitting to write. She acknowledges the Receiving two agreable Letters lately from her beloved Daughter, enclosing one for Sally Franklin which was much approv’d (excepting one Word only) and sent as directed. The Reasons of her not Writing are; That her Time all...
4079From Benjamin Franklin to William Cullen, 21 October 1761 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from John Thomson, An Account of the Life, Lectures, and Writings of William Cullen, M.D. (Edinburgh and London, 1859), I , 140. I hear, that since I had the pleasure of seeing and conversing with you on the subject, you have wrote some of your sentiments of Fire, and communicated them to the Philosophical Society. If so, as it may be some time before their publication,...
4080From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Kames, 21 October 1761 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Scottish Record Office It is long since I have afforded myself the Pleasure of writing to you. As I grow in Years I find I grow more indolent, and more apt to procrastinate. I am indeed a bad Correspondent; but what avails Confession without Amendment! When I come so late with my Thanks for your truly valuable Introduction to the Art of Thinking, can I have any Right to enquire after your...
4081From Benjamin Franklin to William Coleman, 12 October 1761 (Franklin Papers)
LAS: Yale University Library I have received your obliging Favours of July 16. and Augt. 15. for which I thank you. The Transit I think would not have appear’d at Philadelphia, if any body had been ready there to observe. It is so far West, that Venus was off the Sun’s Disk before he rose there. I send you Ferguson’s Book on the Subject to which I was a Subscriber, and also a large Scheme of...
4082From Benjamin Franklin to John Hunter, 9 October 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I am extreamly concern’d at the News of the Death of my dear Friend Mr. Hunter, with whom I had so long liv’d and transacted Business with the most perfect Harmony. It was the more surprizing to me, as his last Letters mention’d an entire Freedom from his old Complaints, and a perfect Establishment of his Health. His Death is not only a Loss to his Friends; I think it...
4083From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 14 September 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you just before we left London, that we were about to make a short Tour to Holland. I wrote to you since from Antwerp in Flanders, and am now to acquaint you, that having seen almost all the principal Places and Things worthy Notice in those two Countries, we are now on our Return to London, where we hope to be next Saturday or Sunday, that we...
4084Record of Stock Purchases, July 1761–August 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania 1761 July 5th. paid for £10,000 Scrip of 1761 the preceeding Payments being made £4,800: —: — 28 paid for this Monthly Payment 1,000: —: — Augst. 14 paid the Remaining Payments 3,000: —: — £8,800: —: —
4085To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Ronayne with Notes for a Reply, 26 August 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I beg Leave to Communicate to you a few Experiments and observations on Electricity, both common and atmostpherical, and to have your opinion of them. It seems to me that Electricks per Se or Non Conductors do not contain more of the Elctrick Fluid than Non Electricks. For An Insulated Wire being heated at one end, and having Light threads hanging from any...
4086From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Preston Moore, 13 August 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library Company of Philadelphia Inclosed I send the Account of Charges in Solliciting your Act, amounting to £36 15 s. 0 d. The Act itself with the Royal Approbation engross’d on Parchment, I sent you per Mr. Wells, and hope it will get safe to hand. I am, with great Esteem, Dear Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant Addressed: To / Samuel Preston Moore Esqr / Philadelphia / Per favour...
4087Of the Meanes of Disposing the Enemie to Peace, [13 August 1761] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , August 11–13, 1761; also rough notes and draft: American Philosophical Society This paper was part of Franklin’s campaign to prevent a premature and disadvantageous peace. As such, it is closely linked in argument as well as in purpose with “A Description of those, who, at any rate, would have a Peace with France,” published in The London Chronicle , Nov....
4088From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 10 August 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received yesterday my Papers. I had sent for them before to Mr. Stanley’s, but Peter found no one at home. It has however been of no Damage to me, except being so long without the Pleasure of reading your agreable little Letter that accompanied them. We are to set out this Week for Holland, where we may possibly spend a Month, but purpose to be at home again...
4089From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 7 August 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you June 13. July 11. July 22. and July 24. I have now little to add, except to acquaint you that we continue pretty well, tho’ I begin to feel the want of my usual yearly Journeys. We shall therefore, having little to do at present, set out in a few Days for Harwich and possibly may take a Trip over to Holland, but purpose to be again in London,...
4090From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Preston Moore, 24 July 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Haverford College Library I have the Pleasure of sending you enclos’d the Royal Approbation of your Act. What the Expence of the Solicitation will be, I cannot yet tell you, not having yet receiv’d the Bills. But I shall discharge it, and acquaint you per next Opportunity. With great Esteem, I am, Dear Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant The Pa. act of Sept. 27, 1757, empowering...
4091From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 7 July 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is just to acquaint my dear Polly, that her good Mama, Mr. and Mrs. Strahan, and her Friend Franklin, purpose to be at Bromley on Tuesday Morning next, to have the Pleasure of seeing Dr. and Mrs. Hawkesworth and the agreable Miss Blunt’s, dining there and returning in the Evening. They carry down with them Miss Peggy Strahan, and leave her there...
4092From Benjamin Franklin to [Springett Penn?], 30 June 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Detroit Public Library I have not yet obtained the Opinion of my Lawyer on the Title &c. and am to be out of town tomorrow and next Day, but on Friday purpose to be in the City and to call on you. I am Sir, Your humble Servant The reference to the opinion of BF ’s lawyer “on the Title” provides a clue to the possible identity of the addressee. As the result of a recent interview with...
4093From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Penington, 9 May 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I inclose you a Letter from your Kinsman Mr. Springet Penn, with whom I had no Acquaintance till lately, but have the Pleasure to find him a very sensible discreet young Man, with excellent Dispositions, which makes me the more regret that the Government as well as Property of our Province should pass out of that Line. There has, by his Account, been...
4094From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Wilmot, 9 May 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received the Act you mention, and if tis convenient to you to call at my House on Monday morning any Hour before One, I shall be glad to see you and converse with you on the Subject; being with great Esteem, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant. As in the case of Wilmot’s letter of May 8 (above, p. 314), to which this is a reply, I. Minis Hays...
4095From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Potts, 23 April 1761 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Public Record Office, London Thomas Boone, governor of New Jersey, wrote John Pownall, secretary of the Board of Trade, Jan. 12, 1761, complaining of the route by which the postriders traveled through New Jersey between Philadelphia and New York. On April 1, 1761, the Board of Trade ordered an extract of this letter sent to Henry Potts of the Post Office. Boone apparently wrote in similar...
4096From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 9 April 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Boston Public Library I receiv’d yours of Feb. 9. with the Bill for £200 for which I thank you. I shall take care to send the Lower Case Brevier r’s, that you write for and acquaint Mr. Strahan with what you mention. The Loss of Faulkner and Lutwydge has baulkt Correspondence between Philadelphia and London a great deal. I lately receivd the enclos’d from Edinburgh, and sent the Answer...
4097From Benjamin Franklin to Josiah Quincy, 8 April 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your very obliging Letter of Dec. 25. by the hand of your valuable Son, who had before favour’d me now and then with a kind Visit. I congratulate you on his Account as I am sure you must have a great deal of Satisfaction in him. His ingenuous, manly and generous Behaviour, in a Transaction here with the Society of Arts, gave me great Pleasure as...
4098From Benjamin Franklin to John Winthrop, 8 April 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I did myself the Honour of writing you a few Lines the 20th of February last inclosing a Piece of Dr. Pringle’s on the Subject of Fiery Meteors which he sent you on hearing your ingenious Account of one lately appearing in New England read to the Royal Society. This is chiefly to cover my Friend Mr. Kennicott’s Papers relating to the Hebrew Bible, and to...
4099From Benjamin Franklin to John Balfour, 2 April 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (copy) and draft: American Philosophical Society As Messrs. Portis did the last Summer pay me two Bills of the same Drawers after a Protest, I sent my Son to know if they would do the same with regard to this Bill, in case it should be once more offer’d to them; but they persisted in their Refusal. Had it been a Bill of Mr. Hall’s Drawing, I should immediately pay it as you propose, for...
4100From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 30 March 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library As you have been so good as to forgive my long Delay of writing to you and answering your always agreable Letters, I shall not now trouble you with the Apology I had written on that head in one of my Pieces of Letters never finish’d. Supposing the Fact, that the Water of the Well at Bristol is warmer after some time pumping, I think your manner of accounting for...