31From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 24 July 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is not in my Power to dispense with an Act of Parliament. To attempt it would hazard my Place. The Privilege of Franking my own Letters is indulg’d to me by the Act; but I have been given to understand that ’tis a Trust, which tis expected I will not violate by covering the Letters of others. Mr. Flag must therefore pay for the Letters you send him; and...
32From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 29 August 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It pains me that I have so long omitted writing to you; and I do not complain that it is so long since I have been favour’d with a Line from you: for being so bad a Correspondent my self, I have no right to complain of others. Indeed I have so many and such long Letters to write, which I cannot dispense with, that I am forc’d to trespass on the Goodness of...
33From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 2 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library I received your kind Letter of Nov. 8. for which I thank you. It rejoices me to hear that you and your Children continue well. I thank God that I too enjoy a greater Share of Health, Strength and Activity than is common with People of my Years, being now Threescore and one. You mention my Opinion of this being a good sort of World, in which you differ from...
34From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 24 December 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received yours of Oct. 23. and condole with you most affectionately in the Affliction you must have suffered by the Loss of so valuable and so amiable a Child. The longer we live we are expos’d to more of these Strokes of Providence: but tho’ we consider them as such, and know it is our Duty to submit to the Divine Will, yet when it comes to our Turn...
35From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 21 February 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter of Dec. 1. I condole with you affectionately once more on the grievous Affliction you have met with, praying God to make the rest of your Life more comfortable and happy. I thank you for your Congratulations on my Daughter’s Marriage. She has pleas’d herself and her Mother, and I hope she will do well: but I think they should...
36From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 20 September 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The last Letter I have received from you is dated May 11. I hope you continue well, tho’ ’tis so long since I have heard from you. As your good Friend Capt. Freeman has not been here this Summer, I am afraid his Sickness that you mention proved fatal to him, which I shall be sorry to hear, as I had conceiv’d a great Esteem for him. I suppose the Dissolution...
37From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 20 November 1768 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By this Ship, (Capt. Scot, ) Mrs. Stevenson sends you half a Piece of Muslin, Apron width, which cost Four Guineas. She hopes it will please, and presents her Compliments and best Wishes. I am in very good Health, Thanks to God: but just now very busy. So can only add, that I am, as ever, Your affectionate Brother Addressed: To / Mrs Mecom / Hanover street...
38From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 23 February 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received your kind Letters of Sept. 26. Oct. and Nov. 7. That of Sept. 26. is directed to my Wife, but she sent it to me, I suppose that I might see your Opinion of Mr. Bache: I am glad you approve the Choice they have made. I write a few Lines to Mr. Leadly: I cannot say much on that Subject till I see Mr. Foxcroft, whom I now expect daily. I am...
39From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 27 April 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter of Jan. 30. Mrs. Stevenson has executed your Order, and sends the Things in a Bandbox directed to you, in the Care of Mr. Jefferies your Neighbour. A new-fashion’d something that was not ready when the Box was pack’d up, is inclos’d in her Letter. I am now grown too old to be ambitious of such a Station as that which you say has...
40From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 29 September 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society When I returned lately from France, I found among other Letters for me that had been here sometime, yours of June 13. It pleases me to hear you are at present relieved from the Weight, which lately lay so heavy on you that “all the Assistance of Reason and Religion were scarce sufficient to keep your Spirits up.” It is well you had such Aids. Our Reason...
41From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 15 March 1770 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from Jared Sparks, ed., A Collection of the Familiar Letters and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Franklin (Boston, 1833), pp. 123–4. I received your kind little letter of January 3d from Philadelphia. I am glad your visit thither proves agreeable to you. Since your family is so much reduced, I do not see why you might not as well continue there, if you like the place equally with...
42From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 7–9 November 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter of July 6. and was glad to hear (since you chose to return) that you were got so well home. I hope the Hurt you receiv’d will be attended with no bad Consequences. My Arm, that had given me no Uneasiness for several Years, has lately began again to pain me, from a slight Strain, and I am now afraid will continue to do so as long...
43From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 30 December 1770 (Franklin Papers)
Transcript: American Philosophical Society This Ship staying longer than was expected, gives me an Opportunity of writing to you which I thought I must have miss’d when I desir’d Cousin William[s] to excuse me to you. I received your kind Letter of Sept. 25 by the young Gentlemen, who, by their discreet Behaviour have recommended themselves very much to me and many of my Acquaintance. Josiah...
44From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 17 July 1771 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received your kind Letter of May 10. You seem so sensible of your Error in so hastily suspecting me, that I am now in my turn sorry I took Notice of it. Let us then suppose that Accompt ballanced and settled, and think no more of it. In some former Letter I believe I mention’d the Price of the Books, which I have now forgotten: But I think it was 3...
45From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 13 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Miss Louise B. Wallace, Los Angeles, California (1955); incomplete draft: American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letters of Sept. 12. and Nov. 9. I have now been some Weeks returned from my Journey thro’ Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and the North of England, which besides being an agreable Tour with a pleasant Companion, has contributed to the Establishment of my Health; and...
46From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 30 March 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this Day receiv’d your kind Letter by Mrs. Wright. She has shown me some of her Work which appears extraordinary. I shall recommend her among my Friends if she chuses to work here. I will enquire for the Books Jenny desires, and send them if I can get them. As you are so curious to know something of Mr. Fox, I will see if I can find him out in St....
47From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 13 April 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter by Mrs. Wright, and shall do her all the Service in my Power. I think I wrote to you by Cousin Josiah, who sailed in Acworth last Week, and I hope will get safe home to his Friends. I continue well, and purpose returning this Summer, God willing, and then may hope next Year for the Pleasure of seeing you, as 1773 is my Period for...
48From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 9 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received your kind Letter of Dec. 30. and rejoice to find you were well. I may possibly have the greater Pleasure of seeing you before the Year is out[?]. I have desired Cousin Williams to give you the Money he may recover from Hall. I would only mention to you, that when I was in Boston in 1754[?], Brother John then living, an old Man whose Name I...
49From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 7 July 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I believe it is long since I have written any Letters to you. I hope you will excuse it. I am oppress’d with too much Writing, and am apt to postpone when I presume upon some Indulgence. I received duly yours of Jan. 19. Apr. 20. May 5 and May 15. Our Relations Jenkins and Paddock came to see me. They seem to be clever sensible Men. Is there not a...
50From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 9 October 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have not heard from you since your Goods arriv’d. I hope they got safe to hand, and that they please. I write this Line just to let you know I am well, Thanks to God, and to cover a Paper of mine printed here, which I send because you desired I would send you what I published from time to time, and I am willing to oblige you; but often they are things out...
51From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 1 November 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter of June 28. with great Pleasure, as it inform’d me of your Welfare. I thank you for your good Wishes that I may be a means of restoring Harmony between the two Countries. It would make me very happy to see it, whoever was the Instrument. I had us’d all the smooth Words I could muster, and I grew tir’d of Meekness when I saw it...
52From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 17 February 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received your kind Letter of Dec. 11. and rejoice to hear of your Welfare and easy Situation. You will hear before this comes to hand, that I am depriv’d of my Office. Don’t let this give you any Uneasiness. You and I have almost finished the Journey of Life; we are now but a little way from home, and have enough in our Pockets to pay the Post...
53From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 23 March 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A violent Cold which affects my Head and Eyesight, makes it inconvenient to me to write much; yet I would not miss the Opportunity of giving you this Line just to let you know that I am otherwise as usual. I hope you and yours are well, and am ever Your affectionate Brother
54From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 28 July 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letters of May the 1st and 18th. I rejoice to hear that you and yours continue in Health; as I do, Thanks to God. The Report you mention that I offer’d to desert my Constituents, and banish myself if I might continue in Place, is an infamous Falshood, as you supposed. And as ridiculous as false, since it implies that I have not...
55From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 3 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Hearing just now of this Opportunity, I write a Line to acquaint you that I am well and hearty, Thanks to God, as I hope you are. It seems likely now that I shall stay here another Winter; you will therefore be kind in continuing to write to me. My Love to Jenney, &c. I am ever, Your affectionate Brother For reasons explained in the preceding document. Jane...
56From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 26 September 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have had no Line from you since those you favour’d me with by Cousin Jonathan Williams. I hope you continue in health, as I do, Thanks to God. But I wish to know how you fare in the present Distress of our dear Country. I am apprehensive that the Letters between us, tho’ very innocent ones, are intercepted. They might restore me yours at least, after...
57From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 26 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I hope you continue well, as I do, Thanks to God. Be of good Courage. Bad Weather does not last always in any Country. Supposing it may be agreable to you, I send you a Head they make here and sell at the China Shops. My Love to your Children, and to Cousin Williams and Family. I am ever Your affectionate Brother BF , in writing Bowdoin the day before, had...
58From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 26 May 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Marietta College Library; copy: Harvard University Library I have just now heard by Mr. Adams, that you are come out of Boston, and are at Warwick in Rhodeisland Government: I suppose it must be at good Mr. and Mrs. Green’s, to whom present my affectionate Respects. I write this Line just to let you know I am return’d well from England; that I found my Family well; but have not found the...
59From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 17 June 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you some time since, having heard from one of the Delegates that you were at Warwick, and I supposed it must be with that good Family, so I directed my Letter to you there; I hope you receiv’d it. I have since received your kind Letter of May 14. with one from dear Mrs. Green. I sympathise most sincerely with you and the People of my native Town...
60From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 2 August 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Last Night I received with great Pleasure your kind Letter of July 14. with the most agreable Additions from Mr. and Mrs. Green. God bless those two good ones! The Congress has adjourned this Morning to the 5th of September. I have now upon my Hands the Settling a new General Post Office, and a Treaty to be held with the Indians on the Ohio, besides smaller...