From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 30 March 1764
To William Strahan
ALS: University of Pennsylvania Library
Philada. March 30. 1764
Dear Friend,
I begin to think it long since I had the Pleasure of hearing from you.9
Enclos’d is one of our last Gazettes,1 in which you will see that our Dissensions are broke out again; more violently than ever. Such a Necklace of Resolves! and all Nemine contradicente, I believe you have seldom seen. If you can find Room for them and our Messages in the Chronicle, (but perhaps ’tis too much to ask) I should be glad to have them there; as it may prepare the Minds of those in Power for an Application that I believe will shortly be made from this Province to the Crown, to take the Government into its own Hands.2 They talk of sending me over with it; but it will be too soon for me. At least I think so at present. Adieu, my dear Friend, and believe me ever Yours affectionately
B Franklin
P.S. My Love to my young Wife,3 and to Mrs. Strahan, Rachey, Billey, &c. &c. In your next tell me how you all do, and don’t oblige me to come and see, before I am quite ready.
Mr Strahan
9. The last letter from Strahan to BF that has been found is that of Aug. 18, 1763; see above, X, 324–31.
1. Undoubtedly Pa. Gaz., March 29, 1764, which printed the messages that had passed between the governor and Assembly, March 14–24, concerning the passage of the £55,000 Supply Bill, and the Assembly Resolves of March 24. For the more important of these documents see above, pp. 111–33, Strahan reprinted them in London Chron., June 12–14, 14–16, 1764.
2. See the document immediately above.
3. Strahan’s youngest daughter, Margaret Penelope; for brief sketches of the Strahan children, see above, X, 169 n.