1To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 23 November 1764 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society As some Matters have occur’d, since your Departure, Which it may not be disagreable to you, to know, I borrow an Hour, from Business, to communicate Them to you. The Corporation of this City, met yesterday and agreed upon an Address to the Proprietors. What the Particulars of it, are, I have not yet been able to Obtain, But I learn generaly; That...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 19 December 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When I wrote you last, I must confess, I did not expect, That the Protesters would attempt to answer the Remarks , or Indeed? That they would [injure?] their Cause, so much, as to let an anonymous Reply appear, in their Behalf. The History of this Matter, as I am informed, is thus, The Protestors, at the Instigation of the Chief Justice, determined an...
3To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 27 May 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Yesterday I had the Pleasure of receiving your kind Favor of the 13th April, which I just sit down, to acknowledge, As the Packet sails sooner than I expected. I have been much absent from Home, for two Months past, otherwise I should have regularly wrote you and Owned the Receipt of your several Favors of the 12th January and 15th February and...
4To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 13 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society As I am without any of your Favors, I shall proceed to give you a Relation of such Matters, as have occur’d, for some time before and since Our Election. The proprietary Party were greatly dispirited before there was an Expectation of a Change in the Ministry. But from the Moment They received that Intelligence, until We got an Account of it’s...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 30 September 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library I have not wrote to you, as often as my Inclinations would have induced me, as I have been engaged in a great Variety of Business, Which has called me much from Home; But as I esteem it my Duty, to afford you every Piece of Intelligence, which respects his Majesty’s Interest, I give you the Trouble of this Letter. I took the Liberty, both last Year and the...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 4 October 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : William L. Clements Library Since writing on the other Side, The apprehensions of Hostility’s shortly commencing, unless the Indians could be quieted by the Agents, Are too soon (And too fataly for my Partners and self) confirmed. An Express, yesterday brought us, the following alarming Advices. That Our Factor at Fort Pitt had sent from Thence, in July last, Two large Batteaus, With...
7To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 2 December 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Copy (incomplete): American Philosophical Society As soon as I heard, That Sir William Johnson had received the King’s Orders to settle the Boundary with the Six Nations, I set off with Captain William Trent (The legal Attorney of the Traders, who suffered, as well by the Encroachments of the French in 1754, as by the Indians in 1763) for the Mohocks Country, But on our arrival at Albany, we...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, [19 May 1769]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society [Dated merely Friday; probably May 19, 1769. A note in the third person: is sorry to inform Franklin that the New York mail, according to Mr. Todd, was made up and dispatched on Wednesday night, when the letters for the governors were received from the various officers. The Captain sails for New York on Monday. ] We are assuming that Wharton referred to...
9To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, [9 November? 1769]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society [Dated merely Thursday night; probably November 9, 1769. A note in the third person to inform Franklin that Wharton has just received via Bristol a letter from the latter’s wife, dated Sept. 20, 1769, saying that the Franklin family was well.] The brigantine Concord cleared from Philadelphia for Bristol at the right time to have carried a letter written on...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, [10 November? 1769]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society [Dated merely Friday afternoon; probably November 10, 1769. A note in the third person, to send Franklin the American newspapers received that day in the New York mail. Has heard nothing by the packet; expects a letter from “his Friend” by Capt. Jeffries, who was to sail from Philadelphia on Oct. 7.] A New York mail reached London on Nov. 10; London Chron. ,...
11To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel] Wharton, [16 November? 1769] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Wharton presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin and will be much obliged to Him, If He will be so good as to take an early Opportunity of explaining to Governor Pownall, Abraham Mitchel’s base Conduct; As Mr. Wharton finds the Governor and his Brother have read the Affidavit in the Gazeeteer and He is afraid, it may make an injurious Impression on Them,...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, [10 January? 1770] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was informed late last Night, That a Number of your and my Letters were lying at the New York Coffee House and Therefore I went into the City early this morning and have taken up all I could find. I send by my Boy, yours. I [am] always very respectfully your Very affectionate Friend. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin The dating is purely conjectural. Capt....
13Franklin, Thomas Walpole, Samuel Wharton, and John Sargent: Power of Attorney to William Trent, 11 April 1775: résumé (Franklin Papers)
DS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The promoters of the Walpole grant in London were becoming more and more unsure of obtaining it. Franklin’s ostensible withdrawal from their group in January, 1774, had had no perceptible effect in forwarding their cause, and their chance of success diminished as war drew nearer. They waited for over a year. Then in the spring of 1775 they apparently...
14To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 17 April 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As Major Trent is the Bearer of this Letter, it is the less Necessary for Me now to be very particular in my Communications. I presented, as you desired, your Respects to Lord Camden, and his Lordship requested Me to tell You, that He should have been much pleased to have seen you, before you embarked; That the Chancellor’s Decission in your Case is...
15To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 23 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The Bearer hereof Mr. Wrixon, a Gentleman of Character and good Connexions in Ireland, I beg leave to introduce to your Frindship, Civility and protection. Major Trent is well acquainted with Mr. Wrixon, and knows his useful Qualifications, and I dare say, will, with great Pleasure mention Them to You; and give Me leave to add, That Mr. Wrixon has not been...
16To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 21 December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I take the earliest Opportunity of expressing my sincere Congratulations on your safe Arrival in France. An Event of the greatest Importance to all America, and particularly regarding your own personal Safety; As the Resentment of your and our Country’s Enemies is not in the least abated, and They would have exceedingly rejoiced, If one of their Cruizers had...
17[Samuel Wharton to Edward Bancroft] with a Postscript to Franklin, 10 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I am still without any of your Favors, although two Mails arrived Yesterday. I am wholly at a Loss to account for your not answering my several Letters, and can only ascribe it to Illness, or an Interception of Yours. I will however persevere in my Correspondence, While, I think, There is a possibility, of my being any Ways useful. The Report of ten thousand...
18To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 17 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society My last was the 14th, since Which I have not been favored with a Line from your Side. Every Day more and more confirms your just Observation, That “implacable Malice and Hatred” would soon (in Case of Separation) take place of mutual affection, and Friendship. In the politest and best Families of this City, and among Even the most gentle, and humane of the...
19To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 21 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By Desire of a particular Friend, Who is afflicted with a dropsical Complaint, and Who has seen published in our papers a Prescription said to be given by You (used by Dr. Gardan of South Carolina) to the French Physicians, for the Cure of that Disorder, I beg the Favor of you to communicate the prescription, with proper Directions, to my Friend Monsr....
20To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 3 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I have sent you two other Parcels of News papers by Mr. Thornton. I am with the Sincerst Regard dear Sir Yours most affectionately. Identified by the handwriting.
21To Benjamin Franklin from [Samuel Wharton], 13 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I have sent to the Care of my Friend Dr. B, a stilton Cheese, which I hope may approve acceptable to you, and Mr. Dean. With the sincerest Respect for both of you, I am, dear Friend, Yours affectionately Addressed: A / Monsr. / Monsr. François / Passy. Notation: S.W. 13 Feb. 78 Identified by the handwriting like his letter above of Nov. 21. The bearer was...
22To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 3 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By the Bearer Captain All, I have sent you and Mr. Dean the parliamentary Register, The Remembrancer, News Papers &c., And I beg leave to mention to you, (As Captain All desires it, And as I can, with great Truth do it) That his Duty to his Employer has obliged Him to stay much longer here, Than was agreable to Him; But That he has steadily maintained, and...
23To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 23 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I find a Disposition among several of my Friends to lend Money to the United States, And I am desired by One of Them, to request the Favor of you to furnish Me with the Manner, in Which the Loans must be made, and inform Me, What Interest The United States give. Mr. Thornton waits, so that I have not Time to add More, Than my hearty Congratulations On the...
24To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 2 June 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By the Bearer Mr. Pringle I have sent you the News Papers, Parliamentary Register &c., and I beg leave to trouble you with Copys of Letters, which have passed between Mr. Williams and myself on the Subject of an aspersion of my Character. I am just informed, That above a Month ago Mr. Williams unkindly communicated this Calumny to Dr. Smith, and That it has...
25To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, [on or after 7 April 1779] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr Wharton presents his Respects to his Exellency Mr. Franklin, & sends Him the News paper, and a correct List of all the regular Forces in Ireland. The letter He has just received from a Friend; Who has the best Opportunity of officialy , acquiring a State of the Army. Mr. Wharton did not receive A News paper by the last post. Addressed: A’ Son Excellence /...
26To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 15 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have sent a parcel of Papers about Vandalia, which it may be proper, That you should have a Copy of. I am with the sincerest Respect & Esteem Dear Sir Your’s most affectionately Notation: Wharton Paris 15 may 1779. BF and Wharton were still partners in the proposed colony to be founded on lands purchased from the Indians: XXII , 19–21. Wharton continued...
27To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 29 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: American Philosophical Society The Memorial of Samuel Wharton of Philadelphia respectfully sheweth. That Thomas, and Robert Burdy left England about twelve Months ago, and settled at Diepe with Messieurs Richard Neave & Son, intending, when an Opportunity offered to go and settle in Pennsylvania, One of the said United States. That the...
28To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 21 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send you the News Paper. The Spanish Declaration was not made on Tuesday, But I have a Letter, which says, That it was to be deliver’d on Wednesday. They write from London, That the New York Mail brings Advice,—of General Clinton’s detaching three thousand Men upon an Expedition (to sail the 8th of May) and That Genrl Washington supposing it to be to...
29To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 22 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Wharton presents his Compliments to Mr. Franklin & sends the News Paper, containing the Spanish Declaration of War. Mr. W’s Friends write Him, That the Merchants & Stock Jobbers keep the Price of Stocks, from an Opinion, That Spanish War was a good Thing & would produce great Quantitys of Silver & Gold. Almodóvar’s declaration was published in London...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 28 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send under Cover the News Paper, and learn by several Letters, which I received yesterday from London, That the Ministry and People were under very great Apprehensions of an Invasion, and the Destruction of their Commerce. One of our Friends writes me, That Orders were dispatched to Sir Charles Hardy to return immediately with the Fleet under his Command;...
31To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 9 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I return the american paper with many Thanks. Inclosed, you have the London packet, containing part of Mr. Galloway’s extraordinary Evidence. A Gentleman, a Native of the united States, writes July 2d,— That Sir Charles Hardy sailed out of the Channel with thirty One Sail of the Line, and if the Wind continued Easterly a few Days, several more Ships would...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, [16 July 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send inclosed the News paper, and am informed by some Friends in London, That two Transports are arrived from New York in short Passages, & bring such Accounts as incline People in general to think, That General Provost has been beaten near Charles Town, with the Loss of his Artillery &c. They don’t mention any other Particulars. I am respectfully, and...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, [19 July 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send the News Paper, and a short Note from a Friend.— The packet, which was bringing the Mail of the 6th Instant, was taken by an American Privateer, and carried into Dunkirk. The News from South Carolina, in the News Paper, of the Success of General Lincoln, I think, bears strong Marks of Authenticity upon the Face of it. I am with great Respect Dear Sir...
34To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, [23 July? 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have several Letters but no News from London. Sir Charles Hardy’s Fleet was at Anchor in Plymouth Road on the 17th Instant. I am with the sincerest Respect your Excellency’s affectionate & most obt. Servt Notation: S. Wharton Paris— An extract of a letter from Plymouth dated July 17 reporting the anchorage of the grand fleet was published in The Public...
35To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 25 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I send your Excellency the within Letter, and parts of the Leidger, which may, perhaps, contain some News, That you have not received. The Letter is from a Gentleman of good Connexions & Information in London, and Therefore I would ask the Favor of its not being shewn. I am with great Regard your Exellency’s most affectionate & obt. Servant Addressed: A’...
36To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 8 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Messrs. Neave desire me to acquaint your Excellency, That They return to Diepe on Tuesday Morning early, and That They intend to wait upon you To Morrow Morning, In Order to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. They would be particularly obliged to Mr. William Franklin, if He would be so kind, as to prepare two sets of the usual Deposition. I...
37To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 9 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Craig (of Philadelphia) left London about the 2d. of this Month, and writes as follows.— A Vessel was arrived from North Carolina at Amsterdam; left it the 4th of June, and the Captain says, That just as He sailed, It was currently reported,— General Provost was totaly defeated near Charles Town. On what Day this happened, Is not mentioned. A Vessel was...
38To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 23 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I inclose three News papers just received by way of Amsterdam. The postage cost Fourteen Livres.— All Papers are intercepted, which come by Way of Ostend; And I could wish your Direction, as to my Friend’s continuing to Send Them, Via Amsterdam. I am with the utmost Respect & Esteem Dear Sir Your Excellency’s most obt. & most humble Servant Addressed: A’...
39To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 29 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Wharton presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and returns the Journals of Congress, and News papers with Thanks. He does not find any Paper upon the Subject of back Lands. Upon Enquiry, and looking over his Invoice Book, He finds, That Copper in Sheets, was in the year 1770, from 87/6 to 90/ Sterling per hundred;— of 112 pds. to the hundred. Mr....
40To Benjamin Franklin from Franklin and Samuel Wharton: Memorial to Congress, 26 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
DS : National Archives This memorial from Franklin and his long-time partner in western land ventures Samuel Wharton recapitulates the history of their efforts to establish a legitimate title to lands they had purchased in the unsettled area south of the Ohio River. Their enterprise originated in 1768 as an attempt by a group of Pennsylvania merchants, the “suffering traders,” to obtain land...
41To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 15 May 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As a News paper of the 8th of April was received by Captain Montgomery, after He left Philadelphia, in which is published a curious, confidential Letter, dated the 30th of January, from General Clinton to Lord George Germaine, and as it gives a very agreable State of Facts, and Arguments, I send your Excellency a Copy of it, taken in a hurry by Captain...
42To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 14 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society I Am sorry to have Occasion to write you on the Subject of all the Letters, which are addressed to you by this Courier. Captain Jones, Messrs. Moylan and Nesbit will inform you of the particulars of the outrageous Behaviour of Captain Launday, and the (original) Officers, and Crew of the Alliance, in taking Possession of Her. I will take the Liberty...
43To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton et al., 26 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives We understand some Persons in the Town have written to the Ministers of France, That the Americans, who are here approved Captain Landais’ Conduct in Possessing Himself of the Frigate Alliance, which you had committed to the Charge of the Honorable Commodore Jones. For the sake of Truth, and undeceiving those,—Whom such Misrepresentations may have deceived,— We think it...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 5 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have at last the Prospect of leaving this Country, as Commodore Jones has every Thing on Board, and a favorable Wind is springing up. The Brigantine Duke of Leinster, Capt. Souder, & the Brigantine Luke, Capt. Clark for Philadelphia, and a french Lougre for Maryland sail under Convoy of the Ariel. If at any Time I can be any ways useful to you in america,...
45To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 14 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Little did I expect to address you again from any part of this Kingdom, But you will hear from your other Correspondents, The Cause of Commodore Jones returning to L’orient. I will not attempt to describe the Horrors of the dreadful, or as the Seamen express it,— unequalled Tempest, We have been in, nor the miraculous Delivery from Death, We have had.— We...
46To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 20 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In some of the late Vessels, arrived from Maryland, and Pennsylvania came passengers the following Gentlemen.— Messrs. Cheston, and Captain Smith of the former; and Mr. West, and Dr. Wilson of the latter State, and They were preparing to go in a Dutch Vessel to Ostend, and from Thence to England, But Commodore Jones, upon the Advice of several American...
47To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 2 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Bearer hereof is Mr. Robert Mease of Alexandria in Virginia, Who proposes to visit several Places in France on a mercantile Plan, and to pass some Time in paris. You are so well acquainted with the Devotion of his Family to the great Cause of our Country, That it is unnecessary for me to say,— Mr. Mease has zealously exerted Himself, during the present...
48To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Wharton, 13 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Referring you to my private Letter, written to you by this Vessel, I beg leave to introduce the Bearer Mr. Cornelius Ray to your Notice, and protection. He is the son of a Gentleman of amiable Character, who formerly resided in the City of New York. Any Civilities which your Excellency may be pleased to show Mr Ray,— will be esteemed, as immediately...