11To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 9 September 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I reced both Yours from Boston —it is a Pleasure to hear from the Man I Love. I Submit the Inclosed to your perusal. Your Free remarks on them will be acceptable. I that Live so remote am not so good a Judge of the Reasonabl[n]ess and practibility of Them. They were drawn up at the breaking out of the Cherokee Warr and presented to those at the Helm. Its...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 23 August 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am Just come from an Entertainment given your New Governor per our Society a Respect shown to all Governors where our Friends are Setled. Your Proprietor Thos. was there and Great Civilities pass’d on all Sides, I believe exact the Same Deputation that attended your Son who I hope is now well Setled in his Government and Sees Clearly the Coast he is to...
13To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 28 June 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received my Dear Friends Obligeing Letter with another Inclosed to our Friend Hamilton which I forwarded to Him. Doubt not but will proof Satisfactory. This Serves to convey Advice of a Box of Books for Thy Self, Lib: Com. and J. Bartram perticulars as under. From His Affectionate Friend The Box is Directed for Thee and comes by the Carolina Capt. Friend....
14To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 8 June 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Going away of Ships are So uncertain, and I am So Frequent out of Town—I write this Letter to my Dear Friend premature because I do not Inclose a receipt for the Box which I expect to do in my Next if I am not out of Town when the Ship Sails. The Box comes by Capt. Friend in the Carolina. In it is Books and Catologues for Lib: Company, Some for J:...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 6 April 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I can only now express the great satisfaction I have and that of Our Family to Hear by your Kind Letter of the 7 Decemr of your Safe Arrival. I have One more Wish and that Is, to Hear of your Son and Daughter. All your Friends are Well in particular Yours Sincerely Addressed: To / Benn Franklin Esqr / in / [Philadelphia] Boston See above, pp. 165–6. For...
16To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [1759?–1762] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Lett not my Dear Friend Forgett that I expect Him and his Son to Morrow being Wednesday to drink Tea and afterwards to spend the Evening which will oblige his sincere friend Certainly written during BF ’s first mission to England because of the mention of WF . If the “Doctor Frankland” is contemporary, the note was written after BF ’s honorary degree...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 7 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I arrived here the first of last Month, and had the great Happiness, after so long Absence, to find my little Family well, and my Friends as cordial and more numerous than ever. Mr. Bartram I suppose writes to you concerning the great Bones at the Ohio. I have delivered to him and to the Library Company what you sent by me. There is great Complaint here of the...
18To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 21 October 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I impatienly expect the good News of my Dear Franklin’s Safe Arrival. Wee regret Your Abscence, but there is a Time the Dearest Friends must Part but Wee Cherish our Minds with the Hopes of Long enjoyeing your Correspondence and Shareing in the Discoveries, the Effects of your Fruitfull Genius, which can happyly Imploye it Self, to your own Benefit or that...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 4 August 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I did not receive my Dear Friend’s Letter of yesterday till I came home late in the Evening. I have this Morning wrote the Directions you desired, and sent them to your Friend. If you should hear that they are not quite clear in any particular, let me know that I may explain what is doubtful. My Son presents his Respects. We intend our selves the Pleasure of...
20To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 23 March 1762 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society P. Collinsons Love and Respects to His Friend Franklin. Has sent some books and Catalogues for Library Company and a piece for J. Bartram to his Care. Ball Account Delivered 13: 16: 5 No. 33 and 34 Modern History 13: - No. 27: 28: 29: 30 ball 14: 9: 5 4 plates inserts 2: 6 10 - £14:
21From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 31 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library The preceding are Copies of my late Letters; to which I have little to add, except to request you would send the Magazines mention’d in the enclos’d List, which it seems are still wanting to compleat the Sets in the Library. It may be well enough to forbear sending the Universal Magazine for the future, it contains little of Value I inclose also an Almanack, and...
22From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 1 January 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Original ALS not found; duplicate: Pierpont Morgan Library I wrote you yesterday a Line or two enclosing the second of a Set of Bills for £120 Sterling, drawn on Mr. William Anderson, Merchant, London, by Robert Lloyd, of Maryland I now send the first of the same Set. On the 27th past I drew on you for £50 Sterling in favour of Benjamin Mecom, which I doubt not will meet with due Honour I wish...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 19 December 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Duplicate: Pierpont Morgan Library I have now the Pleasure of yours of the 7th and 10th. of September, and have received the old Book of Voyages, the Magazines for August, and Messrs. Hoadly and Wilson on Electricity. We have hitherto preserv’d a good Agreement with our new Governor; tho’ it seems that some evil Counsellors about him would fain get him into a Quarrel with us; but I hope it...
24From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 22 November 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Duplicate: Pierpont Morgan Library; also extract: The Royal Society Since mine of the 5th Instant, a long one, per Capt. Snead, I have receiv’d the Air Pump and Apparatus per Rankin. There is some Breakage, of which shall send an Account per next Ship, to have the Glasses renew’d. We are exceedingly oblig’d to you for your Care in the Affair, and return you cordial Thanks. I am just return’d...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 5 November 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library; also extract: The Royal Society The above is a Copy of my last, and I now send the two second Bills of Steevens and Ludwell. I wrote then in great Hurry, being just setting out for the Frontiers, to visit some of the Forts with the Governor; a long Journey. Since our Return, I have scarce had a Moment’s Time to write to my Friends, the Assembly sitting twice a...
26From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 23 September 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Duplicate: Pierpont Morgan Library I enclose three Bills, viz. A second for £50 Sterling, drawn by Thos. Saul on Wm. Baker. A first — £20 — — Mary Steevens—Alexr. Grant. A first — £30 — — Philip Ludwell Wm. Bowden. When paid, please to Credit my Account with them. I am Yours most affectionately P.S. We agree perfectly well with the Governor, but are very angry with the Proprietors and the...
27From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 15 June 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I can now only acknowledge the Receipt of your Favours of Feb. 12, 21, 24, 29, and April 1. together with two Boxes, containing Parcels for the Library and John Bartram, all safe and deliver’d. Enclos’d is a 2d Bill for £20 Sterling; the first went in March. When receiv’d please to credit my private Account with it. I send also two other Bills of £50...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [27 May? 1756] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: Yale University Library I have the pleasure to tell thee how much thou art esteemed by many worthy men here: for on the Ballot for thy Election to be a Member of the Royal Society , there was not one negative Ball; an Instance of Unanimity that Lord Macclesfield told me he never before saw . So I wish thee long to enjoy that Honor deservedly and so unanimously conferred on thee. Thy...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 25 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society The above is a Copy of my last. I hope you have receiv’d a Bill for £75 Sterling. I sent you the 1st per in mine of the 27th of August last, when I wrote for one of Mr. Smeaton’s New Air Pumps for the Academy. I now send another Bill for £30 Sterling on the same Account together with a List of some Philosophical Implements that will be wanted towards our...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [5 October 1755] (Franklin Papers)
Transcript of fragment: Rosenbach Foundation Speaker Isaac Norris entered a long note on an interleaved sheet in a copy of Poor Richard improved , 1755, following the calendar for December. He first copied an advertisement from the Antigua Gazette or Public Advertiser , Aug. 12, 1755, in which George Thomas, former governor of Pennsylvania and now governor of the Leeward Islands, defended...
31From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 27 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I received your Favours of May 28 and June 1. I believe I have already wrote you, that our Friend Smith is not thought here to be the Author of the Pamphlet you mention: ’Tis generally suppos’d to be the Governor’s (with some help from one or two others) as his Messages are fill’d with the same Sentiments and almost the same Expressions. He is, I think, the...
32From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 25 August 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 356–9. As you have my former papers on Whirlwinds, &c. I now send you an account of one which I had lately an opportunity of seeing and examining myself. Being in Maryland, riding with Col. Tasker, and some other gentlemen to his country-seat, where I and my son were entertained by...
33From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 26 June 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library Mr. Bartram brings a Box to my House, which has a little Vacancy in it; so I put in my Philosophical Pacquet, which I long since intended to send you, but one thing or other has prevented. I would not have any Part of it printed, (unless you should think that printing the Papers relating to Whirlwinds and Water Spouts, together with a Collection of all the...
34From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 29 December 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library I wrote a few Lines by a Vessel that went from hence about 2 Weeks since, acknowledging the Receipt of your several Favours of July 30. Augt. 6, and 23. and Sept. 18. Sundry Affairs have retarded my Return home, but tomorrow I purpose to set out. I am much oblig’d to you for the favourable Light you put me in, to our Proprietor, as mention’d in yours of July 30. I...
35From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 29 July 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am just return’d from Albany, where were Commissioners from seven Provinces to treat with the Indians of the Six Nations. I suppose the Treaty will be printed, and I shall send you a Copy. At present can only mention, that we brighten’d the Chain with them &c. and parted good Friends; but in my Opinion no Assistance is to be expected from them in any...
36From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 28 May 1754 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society I had at length the pleasure of hearing from you per the Myrtilla that brought me yours of the 26th. Janry. with which I received the two Cases containing the Maps, Silk &c. all very agreeable: but nothing more so than the good News you tell me, that our Proprietor is solicitous for the Prosperity of the Academy, has ordered a Salary towards the Support of...
37From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 18 April 1754 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: New-York Historical Society Since September last, having been abroad on two long Journeys, and otherwise much engag’d, I have made but few Observations on the positive and negative State of Electricity in the Clouds. But Mr. Kinnersley kept his Rod and Bells in good Order, and has made many. Once this Winter the Bells rang a long time during a fall of Snow, tho’ no Thunder was heard nor...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 7 March 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your favours of the 16 and 7th and 29 came not to My Hands untill the First of March and the Philosophical pacquet you Mention intended for my Winters amusement is not yett Come to hand. But indeed a Large pacquet came by Capn. Mitchell and that unworthy Man (tho in particular Directed to the Contrary) putt it into the Post Office and I was Charged Thirty...
39To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 26 January 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I emptied my Budget Largely by unfortunate Capt. Davis and as our Friend Smith comes in Capt. Shirley it will save Mee a very Long detail of what has passed between Mee and your proprietor as He has been privy to most of It, in General I can tell you He is Ardent in promoting Enlish Schools for teaching the Germans, as you will see by the Scheme When Mr....
40To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 14 January 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am so disheartend at the Loss of Capt. Davis, that I cannot tell how to sett Penn to paper. I had so amply Employed my Budget in 2 or 3 pacquetts with a Large pack and Books per M. Dalibard at Paris a Box with 6 of Bird thermometers books Magazins all gone and Poor John Bartram has lost his Two Guinea Microscope and prints for Billey Seeds and Two or...
41From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 1753 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Historical Society of Pennsylvania With regard to the Germans, I think Methods of great tenderness should be used, and nothing that looks like a hardship be imposed. Their fondness for their own Language and Manners is natural: It is not a Crime. When People are induced to settle a new Country by a promise of Privileges, that Promise should be bonâ fide performed, and the...
42From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 23 November 1753 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), p. 165. In my last, via Virginia, I promised to send you per next ship, a small philosophical pacquet: But now having got the materials (old letters and rough drafts) before me, I fear you will find it a great one. Nevertheless, as I am like to have a few days leisure before this ship...
43From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, September 1753 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society In my former Paper on this Subject, wrote first in 1747, enlarged and sent to England in 1749, I considered the Sea as the grand source of Lightning, imagining its luminous Appearance to be owing to Electric Fire, produced by Friction between the Particles of Water and those of Salt. Living far from the Sea I had then no opportunity of making Experiments...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 15 September 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As no Ship will Sail from Hence in a Month or 3 Weeks I take this oppertunity to Send by the Way of New York. I thank you for your Letter by Mr. Smith who has been Several times With Mee and by all that I can Judge and haveing your approbation I have recommended Him to Mr. Penn. What Effects it will have I cannot Saye but to Strengthen It. I hope the...
45To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 12 August 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have much to say but am on the Eve of marrying My Daughter and many Orders in hast from Abroad that I can only add a few Lines to Informe you that your bill of 60 pound is Accepted, and I Intend to pay Osbourn £50. The remainder is for your Disposal when I can find time to Lett you know the Ballance. Your Impartial Account of the state of the Germans came...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 20 July 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is a great pleasure to Mee to receive so many repeated Instances of my Dear friends regard for Mee, In his Sundry favours of Aprill 17: May 9 June 1. I omitted in a Hurry in mine by Shirley to tell you that your £60 Bill on Lane is accepted and shall be applyed as you have Directed. I know not who Mr. Blair Is or where he Dwells Elce should Inquire after...
47To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 3 July 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Received June the 30. 1753. On Board the London for Philadelphia One long Case Mark’d L 4 M C No. 1 which I promise to Deliver (Dangers of the sea Excepted) . paid Freight and primage 6 s. besides one Brown paper bundle of Books of which I cannot give the particulars for I am Just come to Town and To Morrow the Letters are taken away and I go out of Town by...
48From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 26 June 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Huntington Library I received a Letter from you on the Road hither, with one of the supplemental Papers on Electricity; and a Letter from our Friend Kalm. I condole with you sincerely on the Death of good Mrs. Collinson: I do not, however, offer to comfort you by Arguments drawn from Philosophy or Religion; such will readily occur to a Person of your Understanding and Piety. Natural...
49From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 9 May 1753 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: New York Public Library; also copies: Public Record Office, American Philosophical Society, and (part only) British Museum Although this is one of Franklin’s most important letters, there has been difficulty about both its date and its recipient. Moreover, it has never been printed accurately, nor can it be here, for no Franklin autograph has been found. The two fullest surviving...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 21 March 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By the Conveyance of our friend Mr. Watson whose Letter I inclose this will informe you the Abbe sent three books. I only send One by this Ship and another by the Next for fear of Accidents and if you give Mee Leave I will keep the third for my Self. You’l see the purport of Mr. Watsons Letter, the Booke is sent to Messr. Neat & Neave to Come in their...
51To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 7 March 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Haverford College I hope Mine by First Ships with some Books for L:C: [Library Company] as per account on other side and for thyself was Abbe Nolet Letters—are come safe to hand. As Lord Bolingbroke in his Letters that I sent last [autu]mn has insinuated very severe reflections on the authenticity of the Old and New Testament, I have collected the several Replies and Vindications per the...
52To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 27 January 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Tho’ I am much engaged yett I cannot Lett Mesnard Sail without Acquainting you how Matters stand Here. and first for Business The Paduasoye is the best and I hope will please your Good Wife—it is well paper’d and is Packed in a Trunk By John Samuel who haveing other Silk Goods it was putt with his to have the Drawback. As there is three different Breadths...
53From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 1752 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 350–4; also draft (fragment): American Philosophical Society. The earliest surviving reference to Franklin’s magic squares and circles is in a letter from James Logan, January 12, 1750 (see above, III , 458), asking him to bring copies of his work to Stenton. Actually, Franklin had first contrived...
54From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 1752 (Franklin Papers)
I. MS not found; printed in Benjamin Franklin, Experiments and Observations on Electricity (London, 1769), pp. 354–6. II. MS not found; facsimile: Royal Society; also draft: American Philosophical Society. Of Franklin’s magic square James Ferguson wrote that it went “far beyond any thing of the kind I ever saw before; and the magic circle (which is the first of the kind I ever heard of, or...
55From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, [October 1752] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Benjamin Franklin, Supplemental Experiments and Observations on Electricity, Part II . … (London, 1753), pp. 108–[9]. (Yale University Library) As you tell me our friend Cave is about to add some later experiments to my pamphlet, with the Errata , I send a coppy of a letter from Dr. Colden which may help to fill a few pages; also my kite experiment in the Pennsylvania Gazette: to...
56To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 27 September 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In thine of June 19 mention is made of not receiveing a Letter which is a disappoinment to mee who keeps no Coppys. I always am carefull to Carry Letters my Self so how it should happen can’t say and I took particular care to write by Mesnard because of the books and Johns Watches and I saw it putt in the bagg. That Two should miscarry I cannot comprehend...
57To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 15 August 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Haverford College Library I had the pleasure of my Dear friend Letter of June 19th: It gives Mee concern for find my Letters Miscarried, for I writ both by Neat Ship and by Mesnard and I keep no Coppys. Indeed what I write generally in a Hurry does not deserve It but there was some things my Friends may be glad to know. In particular there was J. Bartrams Orders and Letters of advice of...
58To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 7 July 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the pleasure of my Dear friends Letter of 21 March last with a Guinea Inclosed but as I have Cash in hand I returned It by Moses Bartram. The Electrical Experiments have some thing very surprising in them, as all have. Those our Friend Cave Intends to add to thy book as a Supplement and then the Erratas may be added. Before they are printed, Wee shall...
59To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, 3 June 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have wrote you before possibly you may receive Two Letters by one Ship—for here is Two Just going together and I cannot say whitch had my First. This serves to thank you for your favour of March 20th with the sundry Curious Articles besides. Greewood has been with Mee. I have recommended him to your Proprietor who Desires much to see Him, and does not...
60From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 29 June 1751 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: The Royal Society In Capt. Waddels Account *Ph. Tr. No. 492. p. III . of the Effects of Lightning on his Ship, I could not but take Notice of the large Comazants (as he Calls them,) that settled on the Spintles at the Topmast-Heads, and burnt like very large Torches before the Stroke. According to my Opinion, the Electrical Fire was then drawing off, as by Points , from the Cloud, the...