1To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan and Anna Mordaunt Shipley, [before 9 February 1772]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Before February 9, in the third person and the Bishop’s hand. He and his wife invite Franklin to dinner next Sunday, February 9.> Feb. 9 fell on a Sunday during BF ’s second mission only in 1766 and 1772, and as far as we know he was not acquainted with the Shipleys until 1771.
2To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 22 September 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society What excuse can I make for delaying to answer so kind so wise so delightful a Letter as I recievd from my ever honour’d Friend two Months ago? I spent the Summer at my Diocese, where I heard but little & could find no channel of correspondence. The Consequences of Ld Rockinghams Death I doubt not, were sooner & more circumstantially known to You than to me:...
3To Benjamin Franklin from [Jonathan Shipley, 1771–75]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Jermyn Street, Wednesday morning, in the third person. Invites Franklin to dinner next Monday. > BF ’s friendship with the Shipleys appears to have begun in 1771, and we are therefore printing the invitation under the earliest likely date.
4To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 9 May 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania It is with the utmost pleasure I feel an Hour is at last arrivd, when I can write without impropriety to my dear & respectable Friend. You will be so just to me as to believe that my silence was not owing to neglect or indifference. Great caution was necessary to be observd by one of my rank & profession, who was acting in open opposition to an...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, [on or after 20 March 1775?]: fragment (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete): Yale University Library This fragment is now bound, in a volume of Franklin’s correspondence with Shipley, as a postscript to the Bishop’s holograph copy of his letter below at the end of June, 1775. But the paper is larger than that of the copy; it has been folded, as the copy has not; and it is addressed and has the remnants of a seal. The conclusion is inescapable that it...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 12 January 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I think as You do that the highest Pitch of human Honour is the approbation of a free and virtuous People. I have had much more of it than falls to my share but that pleasure is temperd as it ought to be with a proper sense of my own Unworthiness. But I can only be consider’d by them as a distant unconnected Well wisher. Your Name will justly be reverd by...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, [1772?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library <Monday evening, [1772? ], a note in the third person and in the Bishop’s hand. He and his family will call upon him with Lord and Lady Spencer tomorrow evening between seven and eight.> Our guess about the year is based on the slender clue of squirrels. DF had sent some as pets; they arrived in January, and by August were great favorites in the Shipley...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 13 August 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have sent You my Letters to the Primate and Mr. Jackson, which I will beg the favour of You to get conveyd to them even if You should not have an opportunity of calling upon them. Mrs. Shipley and her Daughters join with me in much more than Compliments, and in most sincerely regretting the Loss of You. We join too in wishing that after your Return it may...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, 24 April 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I feel ashamd & distressd when I think how long I have left your most obliging & valuable Letter unanswerd. Indeed great part of the time I have been under the deep affliction of parting with our eldest & most deserving Daughter to the distance of Bengal. I do not mean to depretiate the rest; but She had more of that domestick kindness & attention which You...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, [June 1775] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete autograph copy: Yale University Library I would give much more than I can afford for one hours friendly Conversation with You. Writing is a tedious dilatory Business and tis impossible to enter into those Details which go to the Essence and Marrow of the Subject and enable us to judge with clearness and confidence. Since my last the face of things is grown not only alarming but...