1From Benjamin Franklin to John Franklin, [May 1745?] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from extract in Sparks, Works , VII , 16–17. Our people are extremely impatient to hear of your success at Cape Breton. My shop is filled with thirty inquiries at the coming in of every post. Some wonder the place is not yet taken. I tell them I shall be glad to hear that news three months hence. Fortified towns are hard nuts to crack; and your teeth have not been...
2From Benjamin Franklin to [John Franklin], 2 April 1747 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: American Philosophical Society I should be glad you’d send me the first informations you receive, of what Admiral Warren is doing or like to do in England. And whether the wasted[?] is returning in Orders. We want much to hear that the Fleet is preparing to come from England, in Order to carry on the Expedition. Billy is so fond of a military Life, that he will by no means hear of...
3From Benjamin Franklin to John Franklin, 6 August 1747 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am glad to hear that Mr. Whitefield is safe arriv’d, and recover’d his Health. He is a good Man and I love him. Mr. Douse has wrote to me per this Post at Mrs. Steele’s Request desiring an Explanation from me with regard to my Dissatisfaction with that Lady. I have wrote him in answer, that I think a Misunderstanding between Persons at such a Distance,...
4From Benjamin Franklin to John Franklin, 27 September 1750 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Vassar B. Carlton, Titusville, Florida (1955) I received yours of the 17th Inst. with the Plan of Halifax for which I thank you. Pray send me the Heads of Shirley and Pepperill with the Price. I received also yours per Mr. S. Cooper [?] who arived here last Night. We shall look over the Town Plan to morrow (Mr. Etter and I) and if I can think of any Thing that may be advantageous,...
5From Benjamin Franklin to [John Franklin?], 25 December 1750 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Academy of Arts and Sciences I have lately made an Experiment in Electricity that I desire never to repeat. Two nights ago being about to kill a Turkey by the Shock from two large Glass Jarrs containing as much electrical fire as forty common Phials, I inadvertently took the whole thro’ my own Arms and Body, by receiving the fire from the united Top Wires with one hand, while...
6From Benjamin Franklin to John Franklin, 8 December 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Academy of Medicine Reflecting yesterday on your Desire to have a flexible Catheter, a Thought struck into my Mind how one might possibly be made: And lest you should not readily conceive it by any Description of mine, I went immediately to the Silversmith’s, and gave Directions for making one, (sitting by ’till it was finish’d), that it might be ready for this Post. But now it...
7From Benjamin Franklin to John Franklin, 1753 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript (fragment): American Philosophical Society [ Missing ] Riding offend the Part, and occasion small Ulcers. The Bougie or Wax Candle I have heard is excellent in such Cases. But whether it be an Ulcer in the Passages or a Stone, I believe Onion Pottage may be properly taken and to advantage as it lubricates, and at the same time is a Dissolvent of Calcarious Matter. Enclosed I Send...
8From Benjamin Franklin to John Franklin, 2 January 1753 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Vassar B. Carlton, Titusville, Florida (1955) Yours of the 12th past gave me a great deal of Pleasure, as it informed me that you are better and have reason to think the Stone either lessen’d or made smoother. I pray God to continue it to a perfect Cure. When you have a little Leisure please to inform me how our Fathers Estate turns out as I hear every thing is now sold. Who bought...
9From Benjamin Franklin to John Franklin, 16 March 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mr. and Mrs. Philip Sang, Chicago, Illinois (1959) I am pleas’d to hear you are looking out for Proofs to prosecute that Carrier. Don’t let it be neglected. Your Ambassadors are not yet arrived. Having nothing else to make a Letter of, let me complain a little of your Smith that shod our Horses. We order’d them to be sharp shod, and the Shoes steel’d. Accordingly he charg’d £8 for 16...
10From Benjamin Franklin to John Franklin, 3 April 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. Marietta Myers, Elkhart, Indiana (1957) Your Commissioner or Agent Mr. Quincey has done Wonders here. He has executed his Commission extreamly well, and obtained yesterday a Vote for £10,000 in Provisions for your New England Forces, which will be rendered effectual without the Necessity of the Governor’s Assent to a Law for the purpose. Govr. Shirley is not yet come, but daily...