81To Benjamin Franklin from William Ansell, 5 January 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have taken the Liberty of sending a Turkey by the Norwich Coach who Inns at the Bull Bishopgate street which I hope youll Do me the favor to Exsept. May I beg to know what time you think of Leaving England as I wish to trouble you with one hour of my Company before you sail for America. I find my Neibour Foulger Left England in fine spirits with Gods...
82To 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.
83To Benjamin Franklin from Caroline Howe, [3 January 1775] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress Mrs. Howe’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin, she encloses him a Letter she received last night, and returns him many thanks for his very obliging present, which has already given her great entertainment. If the Docter has any spare time for Chess, she will be exceedingly glad to see him any morning this week, and as often as will be agreeable to him, and rejoices in having...
84To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste LeRoy, 3 January 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je n’ai reçu Monsieur et cher confrère votre lettre et le Pacquet que vous avez bien voulu m’envoyer qu’il y a quelque temps et alors J’etois un peu malade de m’être trop echauffé à travailler cet automne. Je me porte beaucoup mieux actuellement et je profite de l’Occasion de M. Wildman pour vous écrire un petit mot. Je ne doute pas que le Parlement mieux...
85To Benjamin Franklin from David Barclay, 2 [January] 1775 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress D. Barclay presents his Respects and desires Dr. Franklin will peruse the inclosed and DB intends calling for it Tomorrow about 9 or 10 Clock. Addressed: Dr: Franklin Endorsed: Recd Jan 2. 75 Doubtless something to do with the meeting of merchants scheduled for Jan. 4, to consider a petition to Parliament; see Barclay to BF below, Jan. 12. At this time Barclay was too...
86To 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...
87From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 7 May [1774?]: extract (Franklin Papers)
Extract: British Museum Both Bigelow and Smyth accept the date that appears on the copy, but we suggest that the copyist was wrong by a year. The point is of some importance because, if the letter was written in 1775, even this small fragment bears on the relationship between father and son when the former returned from England. Although the language is open to various interpretations, the...
88Tract Relative to the Affair of Hutchinson’s Letters, [1774] (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft) and two copies, one complete and one mutilated and lacking the initial pages: Library of Congress This narrative opens quietly. Franklin explains why he has hitherto suffered in silence the political slings and arrows that have come his way, and why he is now breaking silence. Next he summarizes, more fully than anywhere else, the principles on which he has acted during the past...
89From Benjamin Franklin to The Public Ledger, [after 9 March 1774] (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress Nothing can equal the present Rage of our Ministerial Writers against our Brethren in America, who have the Misfortune to be Whigs in a Reign when Whiggism is out of Fashion, who are besides Protestant Dissenters and Lovers of Liberty. One may easily see from what Quarter comes the Abuse of those People in the Papers; their...
90From Benjamin Franklin to John Pownall, [on or after 21 April 1774] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft ): Library of Congress Dr. Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr. Pownall and acquaints him, that he was appointed Agent of the Province of Pensilvania for the current Year, by a Vote of the present Assembly, a Copy of which follows, viz. Resolved, That Benja Franklin Esqr be, and he is hereby appointed Agent of the Province for the ensuing Year, to solicit and transact the Affairs...