To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac Norris, 25 September 1759
From Isaac Norris
Letterbook copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Sept 25th 1759
My Dear friend B Franklin
I was Unwell with a lurking fever all the While I was writing the above letters,7 but they were no sooner Dispatched, than I was laid up with a very severe attack, which has Confind me almost ever since, and hinderd me from attending the Assembly, both as it was Calld by the Governor, and as it is now seting.8 This is the first Time I have been able to set up long enough to write, and even that must be as Laconick as Possible, till I Can gather More strength, which I have now a good Prospect of. I shall enclose such Bills of Exchange as I have no Advice of and a first Bill which I purchased Yesterday drawn By Joshua Howel on Messrs Wm and Richard Baker in London No 2001 for £200 Sterl:9 and as you write, and poor Rasor Informs me Richard Partridge Executors have (or has if but One Executor) Paid or Accepted his Bill.1 I Shall add it to the List herewith sent. Will You Excuse the trouble I am Continualy Pressing upon You, To apply to Sylvanus or Timothy Bevan for an Asortment of family Med’cines, I suppose a Guinea or Two, was what I have formerly had of Them at a Time, That they may Continue fresh but I hope they will not forget A Q S, as they Call it of the best Bark.2 I Cannot find but this must be my febrifuge, I am Your Assured frd
I Norris
| If I Can write more will make it a seperate letter. | ||||||||||||
| Bills Exchange3 No. 1 my order on the Executors of Dr Logan | £200 | |||||||||||
| No. 2, John Hunter on Messrs. Thomlinson &c. No. 732 | 300 | |||||||||||
| 3 Anthony Stoker on Geo. Campbel, Three Bills | 362 | 5 | 2 | |||||||||
| 4 John Hunter on Messrs. Thomlinson &c. No. 1049 | 200 | |||||||||||
| 5 Peter Razor on Richard Partridge Protestd but since paid, I have your Account of these being come to Hand | 40 | |||||||||||
| £1102 | 5 | 2 | £1102 | 5 | 2 | |||||||
| 6 Joshua Howel on Messrs. Wm. and Richard Baker | ||||||||||||
| No. 5020 | £1000 | |||||||||||
| No. 5021 | 1000 | |||||||||||
| £2000 | 0 | £2000 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| 7 John Hunter on Messrs. Thomlinson &c. | ||||||||||||
| No. 1492 | £500 | |||||||||||
| No. 1493 | 500 | |||||||||||
| £1000 | £1000 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
|
£200 | |||||||||||
| £4302 | 5 | 2 | ||||||||||
|
£4302 | 5 | 0 | |||||||||
| (Intendd by Capt Buden) | ||||||||||||
7. A four-page sheet survives containing copies of his letters of July 31 and August 11 and the first part of the one of August 22. Probably a second sheet, now lost, contained the rest of the letter of August 22 and the whole ALS of this one.
8. The Pa. Assembly convened, Aug. 29, 1759, and because of Norris’ “Indisposition” elected Thomas Leech “Speaker, pro Tempore.” Votes, 1758–59, p. 93.
9. BF recorded the receipt of this bill on Nov. 13, 1759. “Account of Expences,” p. 49; PMHB, LV (1931), 125.
1. Because of Partridge’s death on March 6, 1759, this bill had been protested; see above, p. 390 n.
2. Sylvanus and Timothy Bevan (above, V, 291 n), wealthy Quaker apothecaries in London, had in the past supplied the Pa. Hospital with medicines. On June 18, 1760, Norris recorded the payment of £2 7s. 8d. to Sylvanus Bevan. Norris MS account book, 1735–1765, p. 5, Lib. Co. Phila. The “best Bark” was, of course, quinine; Q.S.: quantum satis, hence, enough, or the usual quantity. In his letter of October 8 (below, p. 441) Norris indicated he wanted at least two pounds.
3. Except for item no. 8, this list is identical with the one appended to Norris’ letter of July 31, 1759, above, p. 422.
4. Pa. Gaz., Oct. 4, 1759, records the clearance of the Philadelphia Packet, Capt. Richard Budden. London Chron., Nov. 10–13, 1759, records its passing Gravesend, inbound, November 12.
5. No letter from BF to Norris of Dec. 8, 1759, has been found.