From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 16 April 1781
To Benjamin Franklin Bache
Press copy:9 American Philosophical Society
Passy April 16. 1781
My dear Child,
I received an English Letter from you in February last, and a french one since of the 26th of March.1 You do well to write often to me, because it always gives me Pleasure to hear of your Welfare, tho the Affairs I am engag’d in do not permit me so often to write to you. I have heard lately from your Papa & Mama, who were well with the whole Family. I enclose a Letter they sent to me for you.2 Your Mother has been doing a great deal of Good, by promoting a Subscription among the American Women to send good Things to the Army for the Comfort & Encouragement of the Soldiers. I send you a Copy of a Letter I received from the Secretary of the French Embassy at Philadelphia,3 & also one of the Papers she caus’d to be printed and distributed on that Occasion, with a Translation of it into French. There was a great Sum collected. Be diligent in your Studies, that you also may be qualified to do Service to your Country, and be worthy so good a Mother. Your Friend Cockran is well, and always enquires after you. Your Cousin sends his Love to you, and I am ever Your affectionate Grandfather
BF
I sent you some English Books, which I hope you have receiv’d;4 and I expect [MS torn]
9. Of an AL (draft).
1. See BF’s letter to Marignac of this day, immediately below, where he acknowledges a letter of Feb. 21. BFB probably wrote the same day; his March letter is above.
2. See their letters of Jan. 14 and 16, above.
3. See Barbé de Marbois’ letter of Jan. 4, above.
4. See BF to Margaret Stevenson and Mary Hewson, Dec. 7, and Mary Hewson to him, April 8, both above.