From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 18 October 1763
To Joshua Babcock
ALS: West Chester (Pa.) State Teachers College
Newport, Tuesday Oct. 18. 1763
Dear Sir
I hop’d to have had the Pleasure of being with you before this time, but various Remora’s7 have detain’d us in various Places. We are to set out this day, so as to lodge at Cases’8 to night, and purpose to take a Bed under your hospitable Roof the Night, if not cast away among the dangerous Rocks of your Coast.9 My best Respects to Mrs. Babcock, &c. I am, Dear Friend, Yours affectionately
B Franklin
Addressed: To / Doctor Babcock / Westerly / Free / B Franklin
7. Delays, obstacles; the term derives from “any of several fishes belonging to Echeneis, Remora” which attach themselves to larger fish or vessels by means of a suctorial disc on the head. The ancients believed that remora could check and even stop ships.
8. Probably an inn along the shore road in southern Rhode Island which they were to traverse after crossing to the mainland from Newport.
9. The Franklins arrived safely at the Babcock home on Wednesday, October 19, and stayed there until the 21st, when they and the Babcocks set out in company for New London and New Haven.