301From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 30 March 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this Day receiv’d your kind Letter by Mrs. Wright. She has shown me some of her Work which appears extraordinary. I shall recommend her among my Friends if she chuses to work here. I will enquire for the Books Jenny desires, and send them if I can get them. As you are so curious to know something of Mr. Fox, I will see if I can find him out in St....
302From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, [12–16 November 1772]: extract (Franklin Papers)
Translated extract: printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), II , 199. Je suis persuadé, comme vous, que le charbon de terre est d’origine végétale, et qu’il a été formé vers la surface de la terre; mais comme de précédentes convulsions l’avoient enterré fort avant en plusieurs endroits, et recouvert de plusieurs couches fort épaisses, nous avons...
303From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 28 November 1747 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your Favour of June 11. per Capt. Tiffin, with the Books, &c. all in good Order. Mr. Parks, who drew the Bill on Guidart & Sons, is surpriz’d at their Protesting it, they having, as he says, large Effects of his in their Hands: He will speedily renew that Bill. Enclos’d I send you a Bill on Xr. Kilby Esqr, for £19.7.1½ Sterling, which I hope will...
304From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, [12–16 December 1764] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have once more the Pleasure of writing a Line to my dear Polly from Cravenstreet, where I arrived on Monday Evening in about 30 Days from Philadelphia. Your good Mama was not at home, and the Maid could not tell where to find her, so I sat me down and waited her Return, when she was a good deal surpriz’d to find me in her Parlour. She has this Afternoon...
305From Benjamin Franklin to James Bowdoin, 13 July 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I am honoured with yours of May 10. and agree with you perfectly in your Sentiments of publick Affairs. Government here seems now to be growing more moderate with regard to America, and I am persuaded that by a steady prudent Conduct, we shall finally obtain all our important Points, and establish American Liberty on a clearer and firmer Foundation. The...
306From Benjamin Franklin to Mr. Pomeroy, 1 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I yesterday had the Pleasure of receiving the enclosed from Dr. Robertson, Principal of the University of Edinburgh, in answer to mine relating to Mr. Cooper, of which I send you a Copy. I feel myself happy in having been any way instrumental in procuring an Honour so justly due to that Gentleman’s uncommon Merit. As soon as I receive the Diploma, I shall...
307From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Wheeler, 3 April 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library In November, 1771, just a year after the first sample of Pennsylvania silk had been sent to Franklin, the first consignment was dispatched to him for sale in London. But this was not his only responsibility to the Managers of the Philadelphia Filature; they also wished his help in acquiring some land in the city, presumably for their establishment. Obtaining a...
308From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 19 July 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be delivered to you by our ingenious Countryman Mr. Benbridge, who has so greatly improv’d himself in Italy as a Portrait Painter, that the Connoisseurs in that Art here think few or none excel him. I hope he will meet with due Encouragement in his own Country, and that we shall not lose him as we have lost Mr. West: For if Mr. Benbridge did not...
309From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 16 November 1745 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I wrote a Line to you via Maryland, and another via New York, lately, enclosing with each a Bill for £15 Sterl. The Third I now send you. I receiv’d the Books and Letter you sent in good Order, and purpose to write for another Parcel of Books by Mesnard who is to sail in 2 or 3 Weeks. I have now every Thing ready for Mr. Hall to go to the W. Indies, but...
310From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 3 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society I wrote to you on the 9th. of March. I have not since heard from Boston. This is just to let you know I am well, and to cover a Newspaper containing one of my Scribblings, which please to give to my Sister with my Love: I have not now time to write to her. Love to Cousin Grace and your Children. I am ever, Your affectionate Uncle Undoubtedly the essay...
311From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 7 February 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I wrote to you pretty fully per Falconer, since which nothing material has pass’d relative to American Affairs. The Grand Committee was to have reported on them last Friday; but Wilkes had taken up so much of their Time, the House sitting four Nights successively till three in the Morning, that they were oblig’d to postpone it for another Week. He is expell’d, but...
312From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 23 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you a few days ago by Mr. Odell a young Clergyman, appointed to the Mission of Burlington, who goes by way of New York; and I purpose writing again per Capt. Egdon, who sails in a few days. As the Packet was late coming hither, I was told by the Secretary of the Post Office that she would not be dispatch’d till the second Saturday of June: But I...
313From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 23 August 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot let Major Small go without a Line to let you know I am well; tho’ I have wrote so much lately, that I have nothing to add. I sent you a small Box of Tea per Capt. Budden. My Love to Sally and all Friends. I wrote to always every Body by Budden, enclosing my Letters in a Packet to you. They were in the Care of Mr. Logan. Adieu my dear Debby Your...
314From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 25 October 1744 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I communicated your Piece on Fluxions to Mr. Logan, and being at his House a few Days after, he told me, he had read it cursorily, that he thought you had not fully hit the Matter, and ( I think ) that Berkley’s Objections were well founded: but said he would read it over more attentively. Since that, he tells me there are several Mistakes in it, two of which...
315From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 21 April 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Richard B. Duane, Locust, N.J. (1955) I have received yours of the 12th Inst. As to the Mistake I mention’d, I find on Revisal that it was not in your Account but in my Eyes, which mistook one Figure for another. I wrote to you from Burlington that I should pay your Order in favour of Robinson as soon as I return’d to Town, which I accordingly did. The Sum £47 15 s. 4 d. I should be glad...
316From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 23 October 1749 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from Bigelow, Works , X , 253–4. I hope before this can reach you your Parliament will have met and ordered payment of what has been so long due on account of the Canada expedition. In the settling our account I will make you a reasonable allowance for the disappointment occasioned by the delay of my son’s bill. J. Read has removed into a house of less rent, which I was...
317From Benjamin Franklin to Timothy Horsfield, 16 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your Favour, and thank you for your kind Cautions. The Bearer, Mrs. McClean, is recommended to me as an Object of Charity, proper to receive some part of that sent from below. She requests a Line from me to you, which I give, not doubting but you will consider her in the Division, so far as may be proper. My Respects to good Mrs. Horsefield, Mr....
318From Benjamin Franklin to John Ross, 12 December 1767 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D F.R.S. &c ., Quarto Edition, II, printed with separate title as The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D. F.R.S. &c . (London, 1817), p. 148. I received your kind letter of October 18. I had before seen with great pleasure your name in the papers as chosen for the...
319From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 6 July 1773 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; transcript: University of Virginia Library I am here in my Way to Oxford, where I am going to be present at the Installation, and shall stay a few Days among my Friends there. By Capt. All who sails next Week I shall write fully to you, and to Friends in Philadelphia. This is my only Letter per Packet. Love to our Children, and to Benny Boy. I am,...
320From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 13 April 1763 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from [Jared Sparks, ed.], A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), pp. 80–1. You may remember, that about ten years since, when I was at Boston, you and my brother sent directions here to attach on Grant’s right to some land here, by virtue of a mortgage given him by one Pitt. Nothing effectual could be done in...
321From Benjamin Franklin to Edward Shippen, 14 February 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your Favour of the 8th Inst. with the Dollar enclos’d. The Postage of the Letter to Boston is 0. 2. 11 3 Bunches of Quills at 1 s. 6 d. 4. 6 Ballance 1 £0. 7. 6 They are the best Quills I could get in Town.
322From Benjamin Franklin to [Thomas Pownall], [11–12 February? 1765] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I send you enclos’d the Paper you desire. You will judge of the Propriety of Publishing it as it is, or what Alterations should be made in it. If there were any Liklihood of its being adopted, I could rather wish it were presented to the Ministry, provided their present Scheme of a Stamp Act might be laid aside. Verner W. Crane, Benjamin Franklin’s Letters...
323From Benjamin Franklin to ——, [1760?] (Franklin Papers)
Draft (fragment): Library of Congress This fragment in Franklin’s hand is written on what appears to be the top segment of a page of letter paper; a caret in the margin of the first line seems to indicate that it was intended, according to his usual method, as an insertion in the body of what he had drafted on the opposite page. Neither the addressee nor the date is known. The wording suggests...
324From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Jackson, 11 October 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have now only time to cover the enclos’d, and acquaint you that I am no longer in the Assembly. The Proprietary Party by great Industry against great Security carried the Election of this County and City by about 26 Votes against me and Mr. Galloway; the Voters near 4000. They carried (would you think it!) above 1000 Dutch from me, by printing part of my...
325From Benjamin Franklin to John Winthrop, 23 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from American Autograph Shop, American Clipper (Merion Station, Pa.), December 1935, p. 171. Mr. Short’s Remarks were only in a Letter of his to me. I now send you the Original. You will observe that the Perallax [Parallax] mentioned in this, differs from that I sent you; But this was in the Beginning of February, the other he gave me in August; and I suppose had been...
326From Benjamin Franklin to Daniel Fisher, [4 June 1755] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, XVII (1893), 271. Mr. Franklin’s compliments to Mr. Fisher and desires the favor of his Company to drink Tea at 5 o’clock this afternoon. Daniel Fisher ( fl . 1720–1755) visited America in 1722, returned to England, but came back, settling with his family at Williamsburg, Va., 1750. He came to Philadelphia in May...
327From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 3 February 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society This will be delivered to you by the Revd. Mr. Coombe, whom I recommend to your Friendship as a young Gentleman of great Merit, Integrity, and Abilities. He has acquir’d the Esteem of all that knew him here, not as an excellent Preacher only, but as practising the Morality he preaches. I wish him a good Settlement in his Native Country,...
328From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 5 March 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d the Enclos’d some time since from Mr. Strahan. I afterwards spent an Evening in Conversation with him on the Subject. He was very urgent with me to stay in England and prevail with you to remove hither with Sally. He propos’d several advantageous Schemes to me which appear’d reasonably founded. His Family is a very agreable one; Mrs. Strahan a...
329From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 14 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congres s I wrote to you a few Days since by the Packet. In a Box directed to Mr. Bache I send a striped Cotton and Silk Gown for you, of a Manufacture now much the Mode here. There is another for Sally. People line them with some old Silk Gown, and they look very handsome. There goes also a Bedstead for Sally, sent on Capt. All’s telling Mrs. Stevenson that...
330From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Colden, 7 October 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress <London, October 7, 1772. Has acknowledged in previous letters the receipt of bills amounting to £372 10 s. and another of £56 12 s. 5½ d. ; has since received three totaling £328 2 s. 3 d. , one of Mackie on Molleson and two of Carr on James Russell, and by the last packet, with Colden’s letter of September 3, four more: Boylstone on Lane, Son &...