31From Benjamin Franklin to Jean Chappe d’Auteroche, 31 January 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I sent you sometime since, directed to the Care of M. Molini, a Bookseller near the Quây des Augustins a Tooth that I mention’d to you when I had the Pleasure of meeting with you at the Marquis de Courtanvaux’s. It was found near the River Ohio in America, about 200 Leagues below Fort du Quesne, at what is called the Great Licking Place, where the Earth...
32From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 10 November 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Your Goodnature will be pleas’d to hear that your Guests went on well after they left you. We got early into New York the next Morning; staid there one Day, had a Pleasant Passage over the Bay the next Morning; spent some time with Friends in different Places of the Jerseys, and got safe and well home on Saturday Evening, where we had the additional Happiness of...
33From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 16 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I thank you most cordially for your kind Congratulations on my Arrival, which I have the more Pleasure in, as among my other Friends, I find you and yours alive and well: I rejoice with you likewise in the safe Return of your two valuable Sons, to whom, on Account of their own Merit as well as the Obligations I am under to you, I wish it had been in my Power to...
34From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 26 February 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library It is a long time since I have had the Pleasure of a Line from you; indeed I have not deserv’d it; for I am a Debtor on Account of several of your Favours that remain unanswer’d. The Truth is, I have too much Writing to do. It confines me so much, that I can scarcely find time for sufficient Bodily Exercise to keep me in Health. Hence I grow more and more averse...
35From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 10 December 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have been favour’d with yours by your valuable Sons, on whose promising Worth I congratulate you and good Mrs. Babcock. I should be glad to see them oftner than I do. But young Men find in England, Amusements more agreeable than the Company of old ones. The Colonel is gone down with my Son to Bath, where I last Night had the Pleasure of hearing they were both...
36From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 5 September 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Returning hither from Portsmouth, I find your agreeable Favour of Augt. 19. containing your kind Invitation to Westerly, where I am sure I could pass some Days with great Pleasure; but doubt whether it will be in my Power. I perceive the Artifice of your Eloquence, which in some degree saves me from being carried away by its Force. You promise me the Communication...
37From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 18 October 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : West Chester (Pa.) State Teachers College I hop’d to have had the Pleasure of being with you before this time, but various Remora’s have detain’d us in various Places. We are to set out this day, so as to lodge at Cases’ 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. My best Respects to Mrs. Babcock, &c....
38From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 1 September 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library I beg Leave to introduce to you the Revd. Mr. Allison Rector of our Academy; a Person of great Ingenuity and Learning, a catholic Divine, and what is more, an Honest Man; For as Pope says By Entertaining then this Gent. with your accustomed Hospitality and Benevolence, you will Entertain one of the Nobility. I mean one of Gods Nobility; for as to the Kings , there...
39From Benjamin Franklin to Joshua Babcock, 13 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society It was with great Pleasure I learnt by Mr. Marchant, that you and Mrs. Babcock and all your good Family continue well and happy. I hope I shall find you all in the same State when I next come your Way, and take Shelter as often heretofore under your hospitable Roof. The Colonel, I am told, continues an active and able Farmer, the most...
40From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 22 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I have not had time to look over the Remarks sent me on Parker’s Account, but shall do it shortly. I am glad you received the Box safe that went by Loxley. I do not wonder that Dry Goods are at present as you say a miserable Concern. After the Non Importation Agreement ended, People crowded in their Goods expecting a lively Demand, and it...
41From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 25 July 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I wrote to you per Capt. Osborne, and have little to add, but that I had yesterday a Line from Preston expressing their Joy on the News I had communicated to them of their new Relation, that they were all well, and should write to you in a few Days via Liverpoole. This will be delivered to you by Messrs. John Hewson and Nathaniel Norgrove, who are...
42From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 13 August 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Mrs. E[lizabeth] D[uane] Gillespie, A Book of Remembrance (Philadelphia and London, 1901), facsimile ALS facing pp. 22–3. I received yours of May 20, as also the preceding Letters mentioned in it. You must have been sensible that I thought the step you had taken, to engage yourself in the Charge of a Family, while your Affairs bore so unpromising an Aspect with Regard to the...
43From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 3 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received yours of Jan. 4. per Packet but none from Mrs. Franklin, whom you mention as writing at the same time. I lament the Death of my old good Friend Mr. Hall, but am glad to understand he has left a Son fit to carry on the Business, which wish he may do with as good a Character and as good Success as his Father. The Gentleman who reported that...
44From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 3 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received yours of Nov. 3. with the Extracts from Mr. Hooper’s Letter, and Remarks of Mr. Morgan which will come under Consideration in due time. As yet the Grant has not pass’d the Seals, tho’ we are kept in continual Expectation. I am oblig’d to Mr. Baynton and you for the Communication. The Demolishing Fort Pitt was a strange Measure. It might...
45From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 15 July 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I have now before me yours of April 6, and 29, May 21. and June 1. I rejoice with you in the first place on the good News contain’d in your last, that Sally is safely delivered of another Son. I hope he will prove a Blessing to you both. I wish your new Shop Business to prove profitable, and do not doubt it if the Shop is closely attended. Will not...
46From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 1 September 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received yours of July 6, by the last Packet that is arriv’d; for we have not yet [that?] of August. I had thoughts of going by this Packet, but various Considerations, some publick and some private, have occurr’d inducing me to postpone my leaving England for another Season. A Bill you drew for £27 18 s. 0 d. on Francis Roper, Mercht in London,...
47From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 10 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library The Bearer Mr. Ralph Westley, goes to Pennsylvania to look out a proper Tract of good Land, on which to settle some able Norfolk Farmers, who are about to remove thither with their Families. One of whom, Mr. Foulger, is a Relation of mine. As the Farmers of that Country are reckoned the most skilful in England, and the comfortable Settling of these first...
48From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 22 July 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I hear by Mr. Dillwyn that you were all well: But had no Line from you either by him or the Packet. Capt. Falconer tells me the Casks of Types were put into his Cellar, he not knowing who they were for. You will get them there, and store them with the rest. I believe I wrote to this purpose before. I am very hearty, Thanks to God. My Love...
49From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 14 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress By Capt. All I send a Box directed to you containing a Number of Parcels for different People, which I request you to take care of that they may be carefully delivered. Among the rest there are 5 Doz Maps in a Roll with your Name on the Outside, of which you may take 6 for yourself, send Six to your Brother at Burlington, and give the rest to my...
50From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 7 October 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I receiv’d yours of Sept. 1. and am rejoic’d to hear you are all well. Your good Mother and Sisters were so about a Fortnight ago, when I heard from them. The Bill you sent me for £60 Whinney on Smith, Wright & Grey, being good, I return your Note enclos’d and correct’d. There remains Five Guineas unpaid, which you had of me just on your going away,...
51Power of Attorney to Deborah Franklin and Richard Bache, 17 February 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society <February 17, 1772. Franklin empowers Deborah Franklin and Richard Bache to request and receive payment of all debts due him in America, except those owed him by William Franklin, and to take all legal actions and whatever other lawful steps may be necessary for collecting from the debtors or their executors or administrators. Sealed, stamped, and delivered...
52From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 30 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., The Works of Benjamin Franklin … (10 vols., Boston, 1836–40), VIII , 137–8. This brief note throws no light on its background. Franklin was introducing a “young man” (he was thirty-seven), recommended to him as ingenious and worthy, who at the time was completely unknown and a year and a half later was famous throughout the colonies. Thomas Paine explained...
53From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 6 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress The Bearer Mr. Robert Hare visits Philadelphia with a View of establishing himself there or at New York in the Porter-brewing Business. He bears an excellent Character among his Friends here as a very honest, ingenious, amiable Man. I therefore recommend him warmly to your Civilities; and doubt not but you will give him the best Advice and...
54From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 5 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received yours of the 21st of May and am truly sorry to hear of your misfortune. It must however be a consolation to you that it cannot be imputed to any imprudence of your own, and that being yet in the early part of life, industry and good management may in a few years replace what you have lost. But in the mean time your own discretion will suggest...
55From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 17 February 1774 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Mrs. Edward M. Korry, Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. (1976); ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society I received Yours of Nov. 20, 30, Dec. 28 and Jan. 1. Before this gets to hand you will have heard that I am displaced, and consequently have it n[o longer] in my Power to assist you in your Views relating [to the Post Office and as things ar]e, I would not wish to see you [concern’d in it. For...
56From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 1 December 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I have received yours of Oct. 6 and 13. and Sally’s of Oct. 25. It rejoices me to hear that you are all well, and that Benja. is recovered of the Measles. I will write him a little print Letter, as soon as I hear that he can read Print. Thanks to God, I am perfectly well at present, but being so far advanced in Life, I cannot expect a long...
57From Benjamin Franklin to Sarah Franklin Bache, 29 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I received your agreable Letters of Oct. 11. and Nov. 5. I met with Mr. Bache at Preston, where I staid two or three Days, being very kindly entertained by his Mother and Sisters, whom I lik’d much. He came to town with me, and is now going home to you. I have advis’d him to settle down to Business in Philadelphia where he will always be...
58From Benjamin Franklin to Sarah Bache, 6 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received your pleasing Letter of Jan. 5. I am glad you have undertaken the Care of the Housekeeping, as it will be an Ease to your Mother, especially if you can manage to her Approbation; that may perhaps be at first a Difficulty. It will be of Use to you if you get a Habit of keeping exact Accounts; and it will be some Satisfaction to me to see...
59From Benjamin Franklin to Theophylact Bache, 3 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I am much oblig’d by your Favour of Dec. 10. with the 2 Barrels of Apples which prove excellent, and are a great Refreshment to me. Please to accept my Thanks, and best Wishes for your Prosperity. I thank you for your Kind Attention to Mr. Chysholme. I hope he will at last be fix’d to his Mind. Enclos’d is a Letter from your good Mother, which will...
60From Benjamin Franklin to John Balfour, 2 April 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (copy) and draft: American Philosophical Society As Messrs. Portis did the last Summer pay me two Bills of the same Drawers after a Protest, I sent my Son to know if they would do the same with regard to this Bill, in case it should be once more offer’d to them; but they persisted in their Refusal. Had it been a Bill of Mr. Hall’s Drawing, I should immediately pay it as you propose, for...
61From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 30 August 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Extract printed from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (Paris, 1773), p. 314. Cette lettre vous sera remise par le Docteur Lettsom, jeune Médecin Amériquain de beaucoup de mérite, qui est de la paisible secte des Trembleurs, et que vous regarderiez conséquemment au moins comme une rareté à contempler, quand même vous auriez épousé toutes les préventions de la plupart de vos...
62From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, [early November 1772] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft; incomplete): American Philosophical Society [ First part missing ] in this Foggy Climate and smoaky City without too much Hazard, I will do my utmost when she comes to promote her Interest. It is true that many English People go to Paris, but I do not often know of their going, and therefore must sometimes make use of the Post, or wait long for an Opportunity of Writing to you....
63From Benjamin Franklin to [Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg], [10 March 1773] (Franklin Papers)
AL (mutilated and incomplete draft): American Philosophical Society; translated extract: printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), II , 311. [ Torn ] Instant, [ torn ] read carefully [ torn ] much Importance [ torn. ] Page 18. line 14. [ torn ] électrisé en plus [ Torn
64From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 28 July 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Extract reprinted from The American Museum, or, Universal Magazine , VIII (July, 1790), 120. I greatly approve the epithet, which you give in your letter of the 8th of June, to the new method of treating the small-pox, which you call the tonic or bracing method. I will take occasion from it, to mention a practice to which I have accustomed myself. You know the cold bath has long been in vogue...
65From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 26 December 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society Last Night I received your Favour of the 19th per Post, which I think is the best Conveyance for our Letters without any direct Address; for I perceive that not only the little Piece which I sent on the 4th Inst. but a long Letter of the 8th. have miscarried. With the first I only thank’d you for the Square of 11000, and made a short Remark of some...
66From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 22 September 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society With this you will receive some Sheets of the Piece now printing, and which I am promis’d shall be finish’d in a few Days. I am afraid it is not so correct as it should be; But as I have been advis’d not to publish it till next Month, most of our Gentry being yet out of Town, there will be time for you to send me the Errata which may be printed at...
67From 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...
68From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 22 January 1773: extract (Franklin Papers)
Translated extract: printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), II , 118. J’ai imaginé depuis quelques tems une nouvelle forme de chauffoir, ou espece de cheminée d’une construction différente, qui donne plus de chaleur, en consumant moins de bois; mais il lui manque quelques-uns des principaux avantages de ma premiere machine, et elle a quelques...
69From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 8 December 1772: extract (Franklin Papers)
Translated extract: printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), II , 215. Lorsque les verres sont rangés sur le fuseau horisontal, ou pour me servir de votre expression, enfilés , et que chacun est arrêté à demeure, on voit la totalité du plus grand verre qui est tout à l’extrêmité à main gauche; le suivant entrant dans le premier ne montre...
70From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 10 March 1773: extract (Franklin Papers)
Translated extract: printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), I , 277–9. Quant au magnétisme qui semble produit par l’électricité, mon opinion actuelle est que ces deux puissances n’ont aucun rapport l’une à l’autre, et que la production apparente du magnétisme n’est qu’accidentelle. Voici comment on peut l’expliquer. 1º. La terre est un grand...
71From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg and Thomas-François Dalibard, [on or before 25 May 1773] (Franklin Papers)
Translation printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed. Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), I , 332–4. Ma réponse à vos questions sur l’attendrissement des viandes par l’électricité ne peut être fondée que sur des conjectures; car je n’ai pas des expériences suffisantes pour garantir les faits. Tout ce que je puis donc dire pour le présent, c’est que je suppose qu’on peut employer...
72From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 7 February 1770: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: translated and printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (Paris, 1773), II , 314. Il est bien vrai, comme on vous l’a mandé d’Amérique, que les Trembleurs y ont donné la liberté à tous leurs esclaves, mais il est à remarquer qu’ils n’en avoient pas beaucoup. Cependant si l’effort en est moins surprenant de leur part, l’action n’en est pas moins belle en elle-même.
73From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 5 December 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library With this I send you a new Pamphlet just published here, written by a Friend of mine. The Subject of it grows every hour more and more serious. No Advice is yet received of the Result of the Congress, which during its whole Sitting has kept all its Deliberations a profound Secret. Mr. Bennet, who will deliver this to you, is a Gentleman of Distinction here, and my...
74From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 23 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
Translated extract: printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), II , 313. Vous verrez par le papier ci-joint du Docteur Solander, que cette herbe (Poke-Weed) dans laquelle on a trouvé un remede spécifique du cancer, est précisément l’espece la plus commune de Phytolacca ( Phytolacca decandra. L. ). An English retranslation may be found in Sparks,...
75From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 2 October 1770: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin, LL.D., F.R.S. &c. (quarto ed., London, 1817–18), III , 319. I see with pleasure that we think pretty much alike on the subjects of English America. We of the colonies have never insisted that we ought to be exempt from contributing to the common expences necessary to support the...
76From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 27 March 1773: extract (Franklin Papers)
Translated extract: printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), II , 313. Je compte que notre Poke-Weed est ce que les Botanistes appellent PHYTOLACCA . Cette plante porte des bayes grosses comme des pois: la peau en est noire, mais elle contient un suc cramoisi. C’étoit ce jus évaporé au soleil en consistence d’extract que l’on employoit. Il causoit...
77From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 29 June 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society I wrote to you by favour of M. Poissonnier, on the 22d Instant, since which I have received yours of the 20th. with some more Sheets. I have now gone through all that are come to hand, and the following are all the Corrections that occur to me to propose for your Errata, some of which are scarce worth Notice. Premiere Partie Page 295 line 11. from...
78From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, [End of April 1773?] (Franklin Papers)
Translated extract: printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), I , 327–9. Vos observations sur les causes de la mort, et les expériences que vous proposez pour rappeller à la vie ceux qui paroissent tués par le tonnerre, montrent également votre sagacité et votre humanité. Il paroit que la doctrine de la vie et de la mort en général est encore peu...
79From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 4 May 1773 (Franklin Papers)
Translated extract: printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), II , 312. Ce jeune Docteur est mort, et toutes les notes qu’il avoit faites de ses curieuses expériences ont été perdues par je ne sçais quel accident entre nos amis le Chevalier Jean Pringle, et le Docteur Huck; mais il paroit que ces Messieurs, s’ils ne retrouvent pas les papiers, comptent...
80From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, [March? 1773]: extract (Franklin Papers)
Translated extract: printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), II , 258–61. J’appréhende bien de ne pouvoir trouver le tems de faire sur cette matiere toutes les recherches et les expériences qui seroient à désirer. Je me bornerai donc à faire ici quelques remarques. La pesanteur spécifique de quelques corps humains, par comparaison avec celle de...