From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Banks, 15 December 1783
To Joseph Banks
ALS: British Library; ALS (draft): University of Pennsylvania Library
Passy, Dec. 15. 1783
Dear Sir,
You have probably had enough of my Correspondence on the Subject of the Balloons, yet I cannot forbear sending you Mr Charles’s Account of his Voyage,9 wch contains some Circumstances that are curious & interesting. And perhaps you may, for a Conclusion, have one more Letter from me by him, if he makes the Flight, said to be intended the first fair Wind, from Paris to London. With great Esteem, I am ever, Dear Sir, Your most obedient Servant
B Franklin
Sir Joseph Banks, Bart.
9. On Dec. 9, Charles delivered an account of his ballon voyage as part of the opening lecture of his new course on experimental physics. It was published in the Jour. de Paris on Dec. 13 and 14. These issues were probably what BF enclosed.
The course was announced in the Jour. de Paris on Dec. 6, and it is likely that WTF attended. On what was undoubtedly Dec. 8, 1783, WTF composed a brief letter to Charles offering congratulations, asking to enroll in his course, and requesting permission to bring one or two friends to hear Charles’s lecture the following day: WTF to Charles, undated draft, APS.