551To Benjamin Franklin from Conte Giovanni Baptista Carburi, 27 March 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Le Comte Carburi fait mille compliments à Mr. le Doc[teu]r Franklin, et lui fait savoir que le Duc de Marlborough seroit charmé de l’avoir chez lui à Marlborough house vendredi prochain, environ à midi, et de le voir faire les experiences Electriques. Ainsi le Dr. Franklin est prié de dire s’il pourra y être, et s’il à besoin de voir auparavant la machine...
552To Benjamin Franklin from James Bowdoin, [March 1753?] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from extract in Sparks, Works , VI , 161 n. By the post I received your favor, enclosing several printed letters relating to the transit of Mercury over the sun. A gentleman here, who is provided with the proper instruments, and well skilled in astronomy, intends to make the necessary observations; to whom, as well as to several others, I shall communicate said letters....
553To Benjamin Franklin from George Croghan, 12 February 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Copy in Historical Society of Pennsylvania; fragment, lacking first five paragraphs, in American Philosophical Society. I did myself the pleasure of writing to you on the 2d of October from Lancaster; And since my Return from meeting the Western Nations, I have had the Favor of your Letter of the 5th. August 1767. I am much gratified, That the Elephant’s Bones were acceptable to you; and with...
554To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Cooper, 6 November 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): British Museum My State of Health, and Excursions upon that Account into the Country must be my Excuse for not taking an earlier Notice of your very obliging Packet of 8th June, for which I return you my particular Thanks. Your Letter and Replies to Mr. Strahan’s Questions gave me great Pleasure, tho the closing and prophetic Part coming from one so capable of discerning amidst...
555To Benjamin Franklin from Edmund Quincy, Junior, 5 November 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had not deferrd doing myself the Pleasure of writing you for some time past on the Subject I mentiond to you when here, but the Loss of my Wife, besides several Avocations has prevented, nor should I have troubled you now, but to inform you that I publish’d in Edes & Gills paper last Post Day a Letter from my Bro’ Huske to the Committee of Merchants here;...
556To Benjamin Franklin from Osgood Hanbury & Company, 15 June 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Messrs. Hanbury’s respects to Doctor Franklin and inform him, that upon Captain Bannings coming up this Evening, they find the Ship will not be ready to sail before the 24th. Instant, by which time if the Chariott can be got ready the Captain shall take particular care of it. For Osgood Hanbury, a Quaker merchant with offices at 34 Great Tower Street and...
557To Benjamin Franklin from Daniel Cheston, 2 August 1747 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your Favour of the 23d Ulto With Mr. Thos Fayerweathers order on Mr. Edward Scott in favour of Mr. Jeremiah Osborn Inclosed and Immediately Applyed to Mr. Edwd Scott for the Money who promised Me to pay It before the Return of our Mercury. But being Gone Down to Talbott County am afraid Shall not see him time Enough to Send It per this next...
558To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Bond, 7 June 1769 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your Letter of the 9th of March with William Cowell’s inclosed, at which I was much surprised, as his last to Bond & Byrn was in a very different Strain, it being only dubious Whether a Bill of Three hundred Pounds then in his Hands would be paid or not. That Bill was founded on a large Estate in his Neighbourhood, and on the Drawers Sister, who...
559To Benjamin Franklin from Robert Rogers, [20 February 1772] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Major Rogers presents his most respectful Compliments to Doctr. Franklin, informs him that his Petition for a Tour thro’ the North American Continent, comes on before the Committee of Council on Tuesday next, when he hopes for the Doctrs. Interest on that affair. At the same time requests the Doctr. will inform him where Govr. Pomlin lives. Addressed: To...
560To Benjamin Franklin from John Winthrop, 4 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I received your favor of Septr. 18. I return you many thanks for Dr. Priestly’s Piece on impregnating water with fix’d air. If this should prove an effectual remedy for the sea-scurvy, it would be indeed a most important discovery. I am extremely concerned to hear, that Dr. Priestly is so meanly provided for, while so many [ blank ] are rolling about here in...
561To Benjamin Franklin from R. Hippisley, 19 April 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having completed an Analysis of Oratory, as more particularly mentioned in the enclosed proposals, Upon a plan never attempted before in any language, I take the liberty to address You, as a friend to learning and an Encourager of arts and sciences. You will view the drawing, now laid before you, as the first, and as it were a rude, sketch of the Design,...
562To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 21 October 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. John Coxe, the Son of Mr. William Coxe my Friend and Neighbour, comes to England with Intent to finish his Study of the Law at one of the Temples. His good Character and close Application to the Business of his intended Profession, added to an Opinion I have entertained of his Abilities, induces me to recommend him to your Notice and Advice. Any Favors...
563To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 6 June 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society The Happiness I enjoy’d last friday has afforded me pleasing reflections for the week past. I attended with delight to your kind Instructions, and my highest Amusement ever since has been to recollect them. You obligingly condescended to satisfy my Curiosity about the Barometer, and by your explanation I clearly conceived the cause of the rise and fall of...
564To Benjamin Franklin from David Hume, 10 May 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have a great many Thanks to give you for your Goodness in remembering my Request, and for the exact Description, which you sent me of your Method of preserving Houses from Thunder. I communicated it to our philosophical Society, as you gave me Permission; and they desire me to tell you that they claim it as their own, and intend to enrich with it the...
565To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, [16?–28? November 1765] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Americans and remove their chief Complaint and all reasonable Cause of [Murmurs?] and Discontent, notwithstanding their present objections to it. They will naturally conceive it their Duty to obey Institutions and Laws agreed on by their own representatives; And in my Opinion This woud form the Strongest and most indissoluble Bond of Union, that...
566To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Jackson, 27 December 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I write to you by every Packet, but having heard that a Vessel sails for Philadelphia to morrow am desirous of troubling you with a few Lines which I hope will be in Time. I have had but one letter from you a great While, but though this would be Matter of Chagrin to me at all Times, the Occasion of my Loss gives me much more concern, I flatter myself...
567To Benjamin Franklin from William Robertson, 12 December 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I was favoured with your letter of the 26th recommending Sir Rogers of New York to a degree in Divinity. I hope that I need not say that every request from you, has with me the authority of a command, because I am sure you will recommend no person who is not entitled to that mark of our respect which you sollicit for him. On this occasion, I have not the...
568To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 12 March 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: Yale University Library This accompanies your Letters and Manuscript, which I have perused with very great Pleasure and Admiration. Please to accept my grateful Acknowledgments for them. Must ask your Pardon for not Returning them sooner — but as sundry Gentlemen here were desirous to read them, I hoped your Benevolence and Love of Communicating ingenious Discoveries to Mankind, would...
569To Benjamin Franklin from Harvard College, 4 January 1769 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William C. Lane, “Harvard College and Franklin,” Colonial Society of Massachusetts Publications , X (1907), 236. Voted 4. That the Thanks of this Board be given to Dr. Benja. Franklin for his very acceptable Present, of a fine Bust of that great Assertor of American Liberties, Lord Chatham. The bust was presumably a copy of the only one known from this period, that executed by...
570To Benjamin Franklin from William Henly: Account of an Experiment, 7 October 1771 (Franklin Papers)
AD (incomplete): American Philosophical Society; remainder printed in the Royal Society, Philosophical Transactions ..., LXIV (1774), 402–3 The experiment described below was part of a series that Henly undertook in 1771–72 to test Franklin’s theory about the path of the lightning discharge. The theory was under attack from Benjamin Wilson, who held that the discharge, given several...
571To Benjamin Franklin from John Williamson, [October 1759] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (fragment): American Philosophical Society [ First part missing ] of the Innocent Sort in pensylvany or the plantations will be very acceptable as also an account of what books and Tracts They have write your or Their Correspondence in This particulars will be very acceptab Let me know how I coud Send letters or Tracts to you and I shall be ready to do it an I think Them worthy and woud be...
572To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Wharton, 16 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society While most of this letter refers to matters of only local significance, it contains a paragraph relating to an important episode in the American reaction to the Stamp Act. On May 30, 1765, the Virginia House of Burgesses adopted a series of resolves, introduced by Patrick Henry, rejecting Parliament’s right to impose such taxes. But because several quite...
573William Strahan: Bill and Receipt, 31 December 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania £ s. d. 1759. Enquiry concerning the Indians, 11¾ Sheets March No. 1000 at £1 3 s. 13 16 For 23½ Reams of Paper for Do. at 13 s. 15 5 6 Working Description of the Map 7 6
574To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 2 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This incloses the 2d Bill for £300 Sterl, the first of which was sent per Packet, who sail’d Thursday last, which I got of Mr. Colden pursuant to a Request of Mr. Foxcroft. I having been one Year in the Service of the Custom-House here, I enquired what Methods I should take to get any Pay, what Information I can get is as follows: A Power of Attorney must...
575To Benjamin Franklin from Emanuel Mendes da Costa, 20 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Committee for Mr. Canton’s Experiments meet Again on Tuesday next 23 Instt at 11 O’Clock precisely to prosecute the same. I am Sir Your humble Servant Emanuel Mendes da Costa (1717–1791), son of a London merchant, was trained as a notary, became a student of conchology, mineralogy, and fossils, and during his checkered career published several books...
576To Benjamin Franklin from Edward Nairne, 19 March 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania When You did me the pleasure of calling on me last week, I mention’d to You that I had been trying to freeze water in which different quantities of Sea Salt had been dissolv’d, You then said You wish’d I had tasted the Ice, for it was thought to be fresh; At that time I had not tasted it, but since have tried the following Experiment; I took two ounces...
577To Benjamin Franklin from François Willem de Monchy, 15 May 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My Father joins me in compliments and thanks for the trouble you have had in procuring such accurate information concerning the Fire Engine, and also for inquiring about the microscopes which at length I have recieved. Agreeable to your desire I have send you two drawings of an Ice-boat. That without the mast is in the proportion of an Inch to a foot, and...
578To Benjamin Franklin from Griffith Jones, 6 October 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Though I presume Mr. Cumming’s Letter, which you receive at the same time with this, informs you of the Motive which induced the Friends of the Bearer to send him to Philadelphia; yet as being the Father of the Boy, I thought it necessary for your Satisfaction, briefly to relate to you my Reasons for taking this Step; and likewise to give you some Account...
579To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 12 January 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society laste nighte Mr. Brown Came and asked me if I had any Commans to you I sed I all ways have he sed he shold saile this day by the way of Dublin I Cold a wishe he Coud a Stayde tell the Poste had Cum in as I heard the Packit is Cume in to N Yorke. I am so impashente tell the poste cumes in I send you the 2 bills endorsed by Septeymus Robinson but the Paper...
580To Benjamin Franklin from William Strahan, [19 November? 1769] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Strahan presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin, and begs to know if he is to be at home and at Leisure this Afternoon, as he wants much to have a Conference with him; If the Dr. is not engaged (which Mr. S. is afraid he is by this time) would be very glad of the favour of his Company to eat a Bit of Beef with him at ½ after two. P.S. Intended to have...
581To Benjamin Franklin from William Henly, [June?] 17, [1772?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having Received an Account from Dr. Priestley that he could not verify my Experiment of ascertaining the direction of the Electric Matter in its passage through flame, I took the Liberty to call at your House with my Apparatus, in order to shew it you both positively and negatively, but I found you was gone into the Country. I then call’d and shew’d it to...
582To Benjamin Franklin from Ebenezer Kinnersley, 12 March 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The Royal Society Having lately made the following Experiments, I very chearfully communicate them in Hopes of giving you some Degree of Pleasure, and exciting you to further explore your favourite, but not quite exhausted, Subject ELECTRICITY . Exp. 1. I placed myself on an Electric Stand, and, being well electrised, threw my Hat to an unelectrised Person, at a considerable Distance, on...
583To Benjamin Franklin from Francis Bernard, 30 October 1763 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook copy: Harvard College Library As you was so kind as to tell Mrs. Bernard that you would take care of my Son if he came in your way, I am encouraged to trouble you with particulars concerning him. By a letter dated Octo.9 We learn he is at Bellhaven: and as his Mony must be all spent, and he is not provided with any Papers of credit, I apprehend he may be necessarily detained there....
584To Benjamin Franklin from James Logan, 19 May 1749 (Franklin Papers)
Letterbook abstract: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Sent him Capt. Smiths voyages or Travels to Virginia. Greg. Leti’s Sisto 5 to. 2 Voll and Marchetti’s Lucrezzio in Italian and desired him to Send me what Classics he has published by M. Mattaire. “Capt. Smiths voyages” was probably The True Travels, Adventures, and Observations of Captaine John Smith, In Europe, Asia, Affrica, and...
585To Benjamin Franklin from Michael Hillegas, 25 November 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your kind Letter to the Nova Scotia Adventurers dated the 13th. July last came safe to hand, and for which am in behalf of Self and all Concerned very much Obliged to you. Such of the Proprietors who I have from Time to Time mett with, has seen it, and are much pleased; I shall however endeavour to get them together some time this Winter, in order That they...
586To Benjamin Franklin from William Alexander, 30 June 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is not perhaps unknown to you that soon after my Arrival in this Country from England I was induced to make several large purchases of Lands with a Veiw of soon disposeing of some of them again to Advantage; you well know the Sudden Change that took place in the Sale of Lands, Vast Quantitys of new Lands Comeing into the Market and a great Scarceity of...
587John Webbe: Defense Renewed, II, 4 December 1740 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The American Weekly Mercury , December 4, 1740. As it is the indispensible Duty of every Man to defend his Reputation from unjust Calumny, I was, therefore , obliged to step forth to vindicate mine, from the injurious Insinuations in the Gazette . But, notwithstanding the Attempt to destroy my Character, on which my Livelihood entirely depends, I was extremely careful , in my...
588To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 18 April 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This Morning only the January Packet arrived after about 13 Weeks Passage, and tho’ I had not the Pleasure of one Line from you, yet I will once more adventure to write, tho’ uncertain whether it will meet you there or not. Matters of the Post-Office go on as usual. I think I told you the Issue of the Suit against Holt, at New Haven, and the Stopping of the...
589To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 30 March 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have reseved yours of Jan the 2 and was much plesed to hear that you was well in helth which is a graite pleshur to me to hear. I have bin impashent to hear that Capt. Folner was Cume or Capt. Sparkes that I moute hear from you by sum bodey hough you had seen you. I had not knone that the packit was to go tell a week longer or I had mis understood by the...
590To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 16 June 1758 (Franklin Papers)
AL (incomplete): American Philosophical Society I received your favour of the 17th. of February. I am Sorry the Affair of Obtaining Permission to export Grain &c. from the Colonies to the European Neutral Ports meets with Difficulties. It certainly can only arise from the Ministrys being so much engaged as not to be able to give that Attention to it as to see clearly the great Benefit that...
591To Benjamin Franklin from Jane Mecom, 3–21 November 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have Just rec’d yours of August 18 wonder to see you complain of not recveing leters from Boston. I think what ever they omited they would not neglect that, but it is like they have been Intercepted. I wrot about a month ago to go by Mr. Hyslop but He liveing out of town and leaveing His only Daughter very sick I beleve made Him forgit to call for it but...
592To Benjamin Franklin from Bernard Ogden, 9 January 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Though not personally acquainted yet I presume upon thy goodness to trouble thee with these few lines, to desire what Information thou may have in thy power to give relative to an Affair in Philidelphia or its Environs, the distance of which from hence, and not knowing whom to apply to, I hope will plead my excuse with thee the case as follows, One Thos...
593To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Hopkinson, 6 September 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania My Son Thomas will have the Honor to deliver this to you; shall I beg you will condescend to advise and instruct a young Man; although honest and open hearted, yet intirely unacquainted with the world and the Dispositions of those whome it is his Interest to please. Any other Man in your place and Station I could not ask such a Favor of engaged, as you...
594To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Life, 16 November 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania His Lordship has only heard 2 Exceptions this Evening Your Cause[?] therefore Stands now the Seventh. His Lordship sits again next Friday Evening when it may probably come on. I am Sir Your very humble Servant See the preceding document. BF ’s case advanced toward argument at the pace of a lazy snail, and a month later was second in line: Life to BF...
595To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Sherwood, 11 September 1767 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Joseph Sherwood Presents his Respects to B. Franklyn Esqr. and Informs him, that Sherwood Attended at his Lodgings the beginning of the Week, with the Papers &c. ready to send to Charles Read Esqr. Addressed: For / Benjn. Franklyn Esqr. / at Mrs. Stephensons / Craven Street / Strand See above, p. 217 n.
596To Benjamin Franklin from William Thomson, 18 November 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take this Opportunity to return you my sincere thanks not only for the pleasure your Company afforded me during your short stay in Worcester, but also for the Entertainment I am confident I owe to you after your Departure— The Interest of Great Britain with Respect to her Colonies gave me a more distinct view than I ever had before of our Connexions with...
597To Benjamin Franklin from William Sturgeon, 22 August 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Extract: American Philosophical Society Mrs. Franklin favoured me with the Sight of a Letter wrote to you by one Mr. Waring, in which your Thoughts are desired on the important Subject of instructing the Negroes in the Principles of Christianity. As I have the Honour of being employ’d by the Society, a[s] Catechist to the Negroes in this City I take the Freedom to make mention of the Affair to...
598To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 15 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, ed., Œuvres de M. Franklin … (2 vols., Paris, 1773), I , 322–6. Moitié dormant, moitié éveillé, j’ai beaucoup rêvé la nuit derniere. Il faut vous dire sur quoi, et comment, afin que vous jugiez si ce sont des rêves, ou des rêveries; s’il faut s’y arrêter, ou les oublier. J’ai songé à la vie, à la mort; mais plus à celle-ci qu’à celle-là. Je recherchois ce qui...
599To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 29 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Dans le moment que je traçois cette première demie ligne on m’a annoncé une persone envoyée par M. Le Prince de Conti pour me demander si j’avois reçu la description et la figure que vous m’avez promise de votre cheminée, et me prier de lui en faire part aussitôt que je l’aurai. J’ai repondu que vous sauriez incessamment l’interêt que S.A.S. y prenoit et...
600To Benjamin Franklin from ——— Gros, 21 June 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The writer of this letter thought, no doubt correctly, that the recipient would need a reminder of who he was, and provided one that may have been a help to Franklin but is none whatever to us. Gros is a common enough French name, and the letter is in French of a sort; but some of the bizarre spellings (“hobliger,” “hobergiste,” “st. hannes”) sound like a...