51To Benjamin Franklin from Mr. and Mrs. William Strahan, 28 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. and Mrs. Strahan present their Compliments to Dr. Franklin and Mrs. Stevenson and desire the favour of their Company this Afternoon to drink Tea and spend the evening. Addressed: To / Dr / Franklin / at Mrs Stevensons / Craven Street
52To Benjamin Franklin from John Foxcroft, 4 January 1775: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract in Franklin’s hand: American Philosophical Society The Vouchers to our Accounts was forwarded by the last Packet, which I hope will enable you to make a final Settlement at the Office. See the first extract above, Nov. 2. As promised in his letter above, Dec. 7. The packet was the Harriot ; her arrival was announced in the Public Advertiser , Jan. 7, 1775.
53To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 15 June 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am heartily glad you made up the quarrel without coming to blows; and as we hope to find you peaceable and happy, we all promise ourselves much pleasure in spending this day in Craven street. To my mortal day I shall remain Your dutiful and affectionate
54To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Peter Halkett, 23 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), pp. 175–6. May 23, 1755 Two sentences from this unlocated letter are quoted in the Pennsylvania Assembly’s reply, Sept. 29, 1755, to Governor Morris’ charge, September 24, that the Assembly had done little to support Braddock’s expedition (see below, p. 209). Sir Peter...
55To Benjamin Franklin from Caroline Howe, 17 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL and copy: Library of Congress Mrs. Howe’s compliments to Dr. Franklin she has just received the enclosed note from Ld. Howe, and hopes it will be convenient to him to come to her either tomorrow or Sunday any hour most convenient to him, which she begs he will be so good to name. Addressed: To / Docter Franklin As with the preceding document.
56From Benjamin Franklin to Elizabeth Gardner, 4 June 1753 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pennsylvania Hospital Please to receive the Bearer into the Hospital, and entertain him there till the Physicians have considered his Case. Your Friend and Servant Elizabeth Gardner was matron of the Pennsylvania Hospital, 1751–60. Thomas G. Morton and Frank Woodbury, The History of the Pennsylvania Hospital (Phila., 1895), p. 544. Not identified.
57To Benjamin Franklin from James Brown, 2 February 1762 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Brown’s Compliments to B. Franklin Esqr. and acquaints him he has sold the £5000—3 per Cents. to be transferr’d to morrow—to day being a Holliday, at 61⅞. Addressed: To / Benj. Franklin Esqr. / In Craven street / Strand See below, p. 34.
58From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Colden, 3 August 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress <West Wycomb, at Lord Le Despencer’s, August 3, 1773: Has received Colden’s of June 2 enclosing seconds of “sundry Bills acknowledg’d in my last” and the first of Willing & Morris on Harris & Co. for £15. Encloses Ogle’s protested bill on Anderson for £83 10 s. 3 d. , which with charges totals £83 16 s. Compliments to Mrs. Colden.> See the letter BF...
59To Benjamin Franklin from John Swinton, Jr., 29 August 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society May I beg the Favor that you will transmit the enclosed Letter to your Son. He desired me to pay to you four Guineas which he was so good as [to ad]vance for me, and accordingly you have herewith an order for that Sum. I am Sir with great Regard your most obedient and most humble Servant Endorsed: 127 J Swinton for W F. £4 4 s . 0 d . John Swinton, a...
60To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Percival, 10 January 1775: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Manchester, January 10, 1775, a note in the third person: Presents his compliments and encloses an extract from Bede’s Ecclesiastical History . The experiment of calming waves with oil was successfully performed in Manchester last week.> Undoubtedly the story of Bishop Aidan’s foretelling a storm at sea and, to calm its fury, giving the voyagers holy oil....
61From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 22 July 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library; letterbook draft: American Philosophical Society I received your Favour of May 14. with the very ingenious Oration you deliver’d at the Society, for which I thank you. The Bookseller you had likewise sent it to (Mr. Dilly) being desirous of Dr. Huck’s Opinion and mine as to its Publication, we had, after separately reading it, a little Consultation upon it; the...
62From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Rush, 25 July 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have already written to you as a Friend by this Conveyance. I now write to you as one of the Secretaries of our Philosophical Society, who understands French, to request your Attention to the enclos’d Papers, and that you would translate them for the Use of the Society. In this Ship, Capt. Falconer, I send a Box, containing a Number of Presents for the...
63Boston Town Meeting Committee to Benjamin Franklin, 23 October 1769 (Adams Papers)
Printed: Franklin, Papers The Papers of Benjamin Franklin , ed. Leonard W. Labaree, William B. Willcox (from vol. 15), and others, New Haven, 1959– . , 16:222–224. For the circumstances of the committee’s appointment and its correspondence with Franklin, see the preceding document . Printed ( Franklin, Papers The Papers of Benjamin Franklin , ed. Leonard W. Labaree, William B. Willcox (from...
64From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 8 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New Haven Colony Historical Society I write this Line in great Haste, just to let you know I am well, and to request your Care in delivering the enclosed. I am, with Love to our Children, Your affectionate Husband
65From Benjamin Franklin to [Nathaniel Sparhawk], 15 June 1748 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Joseph W. P. Frost, Kittery Point, Maine (1954) I receiv’d yours per Mr. Baynton with the Money as therein specified; and have since deliver’d it to Mr. Warren (who is now here) with Mr. Pepperill’s Letter; of which please advise Mr. Pepperill. I am Sir, Your most humble Servant Nathaniel Sparhawk (1715–1776), merchant at Portsmouth and Boston; married the daughter of Sir William...
66From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, [7 October 1769] (Franklin Papers)
Extract: reprinted from a quotation by William Franklin in a letter of January 1, 1770, Stan V. Henkels, Catalogue , No. 860 (April 9, 1901), p. 9. It is very uncertain as yet what Turn American Affairs will take here on the Meeting of Parliament. The Friends of both Countries wish a reconciliation; the Enemies of either endeavour to widen the Breach, God knows how it will end.
67To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Jackson, 4 August 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Wednesday, August 4, 1773: An invitation, with apologies for the short notice, to breakfast and dinner tomorrow at Hampstead.> The comptroller of the Foreign Office in the General Post Office; see above, XIV , 301 n.
68From Benjamin Franklin to Josiah Franklin, [May 1738?] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete draft: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received your kind Letter of the 4th of May in answer to mine of April 13. I wrote that of mine with a Design to remove or lessen the Uneasiness you and my Mother appear’d to be under on Account of my Principles; and it gave me great Pleasure when she declar’d in her next to me that she approv’d of my Letter and was now satisfy’d with me....
69From Benjamin Franklin to Smith, Wright, & Gray, 14 February 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library Enclos’d is Dr. Rush’s Signature which you desired. I thank you for so readily furnishing the Letter of Credit. Yours &c Addressed: To / Messrs. Smith, Wright & / Gray, / Bankers / Lombard street See the preceding document.
70From Benjamin Franklin to the Printer of the Gazetteer, 18 May 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser , May 18, 1768. In order to shew my countrymen the sentiments of the North Americans, I request you will publish in your paper the inclosed hand bill, which came over by the last ship from Philadelphia, and there is no doubt but great numbers of them have been dispersed in that and the other provinces. Franklin wrote only the first paragraph,...
71To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Life, 26 April 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society <Basinghall St., April 26, 1771, a note in the third person. Sorry that he has been too rushed with important business, which had to be finished that week, to call on Franklin about the Georgia affair; will do so next Monday morning, if convenient, at eleven.> In all likelihood the preparation of a memorial to the Board of Trade, requesting that the...
72To Benjamin Franklin from Jonathan Shipley, [1772?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library <Monday evening, [1772? ], a note in the third person and in the Bishop’s hand. He and his family will call upon him with Lord and Lady Spencer tomorrow evening between seven and eight.> Our guess about the year is based on the slender clue of squirrels. DF had sent some as pets; they arrived in January, and by August were great favorites in the Shipley...
73To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 6 March 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This serves to confirm the above, and to inclose the second Copy of the above mentioned Bill from Yours, &c. The duplicate of Hall’s letter of March 5 (printed immediately above) is on the same sheet as this brief note. Pa. Gaz. , March 6, 1760, records the clearance of the Rachel , Capt. Thomas Grant.
74From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 1754 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Send 50 Reams largest Demi to Mr. Daniel, Printer at Jamaica. Send 30 Reams Do to Peter Timothy. Send the Ream of thick blue Paper to Parker. Send half the brown Paper in the House to Parker[?], ’tother half to Brother John in Boston; No, send it all to Boston. [ In margin ]: Nota, bene. Don’t forget to enter it. This note cannot be dated precisely; sometime...
75From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 7 May 1774 (Franklin Papers)
AL (fragment): American Philosophical Society It is now a very long time indeed since I have had the Pleasure of a Line from you. I hope however that you are well as I am, Thanks to God. [ Remainder missing. ] Her last extant letter was the previous October: XX , 449–50.
76To Benjamin Franklin from the Earl of Morton (II), [11 April 1767] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Lord Morton’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin; acquaints him that Lord Morton and the Workmen have been expecting him ever since 12 o’Clock, and hopes the Doctor has not forgot his engagement to dine with him afterwards where he will meet some of his acquaintance. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / at Mrs Stephenson’s / Craven Street
77To Benjamin Franklin from Grey Cooper, 13 October 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I Shall come to Town on Monday next, and will [with] great pleasure carry you back with me, if you happen to be disengaged. Yours ever very truly Addressed: To / Dr. Francklin Presumably Sir Grey’s country house, where BF had written his essay on smuggling. See above, XIV , 315.
78From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 2 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This just informs you I am well and received yours by the April Packet. I shall write fully to you and all Friends by Osborn. My Love to Sally, Mr. Bache, the Child, and all that love us. I can now only add, that I am ever Your affectionate Husband
79From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Colden, 6 January 1773: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress <London, January 6, 1773. Returns two protested bills, Zeph[aniah] Turner on Barnes & Ridgate for £72 7 s. 5 d. and William Taylor on Perkins, Buchanan & Brown for £15; the charges on each are 5 s. 9 d. Asks to have the bills acknowledged and to be credited with £87 18 s. 11 d. > See above, XIX , 398.
80To Benjamin Franklin from Katherine French, 30 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The opera interfering [ torn ] Mrs. French to put off her Music till Saturday 6th. June When she hopes to have [the] favor of seeing Docr. Frank[lin.] May 30, fell on a Saturday in 1767 and 1772 during BF ’s second mission; according to editorial practice this note is printed here at the earlier of the two dates.
81[Benjamin Franklin?] to ———, 26 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
Extract printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , January 29, 1756. Wednesday we were hinder’d almost all Day by Rain. Thursday most of the Stockades were set up. Friday all inclosed to the Gate, and Part of the Platform round the Inside made. Saturday the Platform was finished, and two Swivels mounted. Sunday had a Thanksgiving Sermon, hoisted the British Flag, fired three Vollies, and the...
82To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Collinson, [1765–1768] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Peter Collinson is much obliged for his Dear Frinds Calling Yesterday—Shall be glad to See Him to Dine with Mee next Thursday Two Clock and then go afterwards to Crane Court. I am Engaged to Dine att Your End of the Town to Day Being called Sunday in Hast. Addressed: To / Benm. Franklin Esqr / these This note can not have been written later than Aug. 11,...
83To Benjamin Franklin from William Bollan, 7 December 1771 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Bollan presents his compliments to Dr. Franklin, and desires to see him this afternoon about five, if convenient, upon a matter which chiefly relates to himself, and will not admit of much delay. Addressed: For / Dr. Franklin Dec. 7 was a Saturday in 1771, and not again during BF ’s mission. Bollan moved to Southampton St. in that year; see his letters...
84To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 14 August 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [New York, August 14, 1769. Repeats the substance of his letter of August 12, and encloses the second of Hubbart’s £200 bill.]
85To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Cumming, [1765–1774] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society T. Cumming presents his best respects to his worthy friend Doctor Franklin, and begs the favour of his company to eat a bit of venison (from Brislay park) at three o’Clock, with their Friend John Wright at C’s house. Addressed: To / Doctor Franklin / Craven Street. For Thomas Cumming, a London Quaker merchant, see above, X , 345–6. Since Cumming died on May...
86To Benjamin Franklin from Israel Pemberton, 17 October 1770: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Oct. 17, 1770. Is going on a long journey and wants Franklin to pay the balance due from five years’ ground rent of property in Pewter Platter Alley. The total rent was £101 5 s. , of which Franklin had paid £60 in 1769, leaving £41 5 s. due.] A wealthy Quaker merchant, for whom see above, V , 424 n. BF had bought the property in 1764 from James...
87From Benjamin Franklin to a Committee of the Library Company of Philadelphia, 28 August 1772: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress <London, August 28, 1772: Encloses a bill of lading of the books for the Library Company. Endorsed to Robert Strettell Jones, Samuel Rhoads, and Josiah Hewes. > For the list of books see the letter above of April 27 from the committee, which then had a different composition; the new group wrote to BF on May 28.
88To Benjamin Franklin from William Heberden, 22 April 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dr. Heberden sends his compliments to Mr. Franklin, and desires the favor of his company at dinner on wednesday next (April 22d.) at half an hour past three. Addressed: To / Dr. Franklin / Craven Street During BF ’s second mission to England April 22 fell on a Wednesday in 1767 and 1772. In accordance with editorial policy Dr. Heberden’s invitation is...
89To Benjamin Franklin from David Hall, 21 February 1761 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: American Philosophical Society This serves to confirm the above, and to inclose the second Copy of the above mentioned Bill for Two Hundred Pounds Sterling, from Yours, &c. Hall’s letter of Feb. 9, 1761; see above, pp. 273–4. The General Wall , Capt. Walter Lutwidge, sailed from N.Y. on March 3. N.-Y. Mercury , March 9, 1761.
90To Benjamin Franklin from the Earl and Countess of Macclesfield, 28 May 1758 (Franklin Papers)
MS note: American Philosophical Society Lord and Lady Macclesfield Compliments to Mr. Franklin and Desiers the favour of his Company to Diner on Sattarday Next at 3 o’clocke. Addressed: Craven Street See above, IV , 448 n. So dated because 1758 was the only year of BF ’s adult life in the May of which he was in England prior to his honorary doctorate at St. Andrews Feb. 12, 1759. Any one as...
91To Benjamin Franklin from William Shirley, Junior, 10 May 1755 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract printed in Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives , 1754–1755 (Philadelphia, 1755), p. 175. May 10, 1755 A sentence from this unlocated letter is printed in the Pennsylvania Assembly’s reply, Sept. 29, 1755, to Governor Morris’ charge, September 24, that the Assembly had done little to support Braddock’s expedition (below, p. 207). William Shirley, Jr....
92From Benjamin Franklin to Smith, Wright & Gray, 5 June 1770: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library [Craven Street, June 5, 1770. Encloses three bills: Watts & McEvers on Harley & Drummond for £150, Colin Drummond on Nesbit, Drummond & Franks for £100, and Henry Thompson on Pearson & Baillie for £50, and asks for a receipt by bearer for £300. Again requests the protest of the bill on Cunningham. ] These were Parker’s remittances from New York on his postal...
93To Benjamin Franklin from [John] Foxcroft, [1769?]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society [1769? A note in the third person, dated only Friday, asking Franklin to visit him for a game of chess “on his New Invented Table.” A very bad cold has prevented Foxcroft from calling, and the visit would be an act of charity.] So identified by the handwriting. But his brother Thomas, the Philadelphia postmaster, wrote a closely similar hand, and visited...
94From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Vernon, 16 January 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Newport Historical Society The Bearer Mr. Bowman, intends for New York; and as he will be intirely a Stranger in Rhodeisland, I beg leave to recommend him to your Civilities as a young Gentleman of good Character, for whom I interest myself. Your Advice may be useful to him; and every Regard you shew him, will be acknowledg’d as an Obligation confer’d on, Dear Sir, Your most obedient...
95From Benjamin Franklin to James Logan, 29 January 1750 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: Harvard College Library (Sparks) Enclosed I send you a Copy of the Constitution of the Academy. Your agreeing to be one of the Trustees gave great pleasure to all concerned. I shall wait on you with Mr. Kalm on Wednesday next, if the Weather be tolerable, and nothing extraordinary prevents. I am with great respect Sir Your Affectionate humble Servant See below, p. 469.
96To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 29 June 1768: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [Dated June 29, 1768, this is virtually a duplicate of Parker’s letter of May 14.]
97To Benjamin Franklin from Matthew Maty, 6 May 1771: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania <British Museum, May 6, 1771. Sends an enclosure that he has received for Franklin from a newly created society of sciences in Rotterdam. > Secretary of the Royal Society and a sublibrarian of the British Museum; see above, XIII , 451 n. The Bataafsch Genootschap der Proefondervindelijke Wijsbergeerte (Batavian Society of Experimental Science). BF was...
98To Benjamin Franklin from Harvard College, 22 October 1770 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William C. Lane, “Harvard College and Franklin,” Colonial Society of Massachusetts Publications , X (1907), 237. That the Thanks of this Board be given to Dr. Franklin for his repeated good Services to this College, and particularly in his Care of a valuable achromatic Telescope lately received thro’ his hands: and that Professor Winthrop Transmitt this Vote to Dr. Franklin. For...
99To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Charles, 17 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Mr. Charles presents his Compliments to Doctor Franklin and desires the favour of his Company at the Letter feast on friday next at the Kings Arms tavern Cornhill. For Charles, formerly the Pa. agent in England, now comptroller of the Inland Office of the Post Office, see above, VI , 230 n; IX , 332 n; X , 242 n. For this “feast,” see the document next...
100To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 30 October 1769: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society [New York October 30, 1769. Is recovering after six weeks from the worst fit of gout he has ever had. Pain is gone, but he is so weak he can scarcely stand; “so have only Patience and Flannel.” Has heard nothing from Franklin, and nothing has happened in the Post Office since he last wrote.]