2101From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 12 January 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I received your kind Letter of Nov. 22. and thank you for your good Wishes in my Behalf. I had, after a short Passage, the Pleasure of finding our Friend Strahan and all his Family well and happy; and my other Friends as cordial as ever. I am oblig’d to you for calling so often at our House, and doubt not a Continuance of your Friendly Offices towards my little...
2102To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 14 January 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In Hopes you have received a Letter from me since your Leaving us, which I sent inclosed in one to Mr. Strahan, from New York, per a Merchant Ship, I now attempt a Second to you: I therein told you, I had taken Dunlap’s Deed to you according to your Instructions, and taken McCleave’s Bond for the Money he proposed on that Score. I was returned from...
2103To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 17 January 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You express’d an intention to pay us a visit the latter end of this week, and as I should be sorry to be disappointed of the pleasure of your company when you come, I write this to inform that we have an engagement of a long standing for to-morrow, and the next day we expect company to dine with us, which makes me wish you to defer coming till the beginning...
2104To Benjamin Franklin from James Parker, 22 January 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society About seven Days ago, hearing one Capt. Kid was about to sail for London from New-York, and the Packet by whom this is design’d to go not being come in then; I wrote you, at the same Time sent a Packet of News-papers, being the four last of the Pensylvania Gazette wherein was some Pieces wrote concerning your Remarks on the Protest. That Packet with the...
2105To Benjamin Franklin from Joseph Galloway, 23 January 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote you a few Lines this morning, in a hurry, not expecting to meet with another Opport[unit]y by this Packet, but in that I am agreably disappointed, by an Express that Sets of[f] for N. York in the morning. The Assembly has been now Setting Since the Seventh of this Instant, and no Terms of Accommodation from the Governor has yet appeard, nor is there...
2106To Benjamin Franklin from Humphrey Senhouse, 25 January 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your very extraordinary Discoveries and Improvements in Electricity have determined me, though an utter Stranger to you, to take the Liberty of asking whether you think any Benefit might arise to me from the Application of the Electrical Machine in my unfortunate Case. In the Year 1746, and in the fifteenth of my Age I had the Small-Pox, and from that Time...
2107To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Franklin, 28 January 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I humbly ask pardon for giving you the trouble of this but hearing you was att Lutterworth Some time Since and Inquired after me but had not the happyness of Seeing you has gave me a great deal of uneasyness but now I am in my way again of bussiness, and am Inform’d you are in London have taken this Opportunity to Write to you. I have not heard you purpose...
2108From Benjamin Franklin to Humphrey Senhouse, 31 January 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Senhouse MSS , Cumberland County Record Office, Carlisle I wish I could give you any Encouragement to hope Relief in your Case by means of Electricity. No Instance of the kind has fallen within my Knowledge. On the contrary, I have try’d it on some Patients, but without the least Success. I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant Addressed: To / Major Senhouse / in / Carlisle...
2109To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Garth, [1 February 1765] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Garth presents his Compliments to Mr. Franklin, begs Leave to acquaint him, that the Request of the Agents for ½ an hour’s Audience to their Deputation was yesterday mention’d to Mr. Grenville, who was pleas’d to signify his Compliance therewith, and that he would send us Notice when he would choose to be attended. Addressed: To / B. Franklin Esqr. / in...
2110To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac All, 5 February 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Yesterday I had the pleasure to hear of your Arrival in London by a Gentleman lately from thence, on which I most Sincerely Congratulate you as the season of the Year must render your passage disagreeable and dangerous; as I my self found in my Voyage from the Bay of Honduras to this place, where I arrived the 30th. Nov., and soon after saw in the papers An...
2111Notes on Parliamentary Precedents, [c. 6 February? 1765] (Franklin Papers)
AD : American Philosophical Society Among Franklin’s papers are two sheets on which he entered notes about three acts of Parliament. One sheet, written on both sides, is badly torn at the top and down one edge. The other, of which he used only one side and which is in better condition, is a continuation of the first. The acts in which he was interested had granted to areas not previously...
2112To Benjamin Franklin from John Trusler, 6 February 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Engraved form with MS insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society The Literary Society desirous of extending their Scheme, and rendering it as general as possible, have presumed to enclose one of their Plans, and are induced to hope, should it meet with your Approbation, for the Honour of your Name as a Subscribing Member, and for any further Encouragement you may think proper to...
2113To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Stevenson, 8 February 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I got home extremely well last night, and met with nothing to make me uneasy but my own reflections. Before I came to pall mall I repented my acceptance of your obliging offer, for I consider’d myself as the cause of what the poor coachman suffer’d from the cold, which I might have avoided. This reflection destroy’d the tranquility which the fineness of the...
2114From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 9 February 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have been so hurried of late, that I could not write much by this Packet. One Letter to the Speaker, and one to you, is all I shall be able to make out. Thanks to God, I am got perfectly well, my Cough quite gone. My Arms, too, continue mending, so that I can now put on and off my Cloaths, but do not practice it yet, as it still hurts me a little. John...
2115To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 10–21 February 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am set down to Confab a littel with my dear child as it Semes a Sorte of a hollow day for we have an ox arosteing on the river and moste pepel semes plesd with the a fair but as I partake of none of the divershons I stay at home and flatter myselef that the next packit will bring me a letter from you. By the laste packit thair was a letter from mr....
2116From Benjamin Franklin to [Thomas Pownall], [11–12 February? 1765] (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I send you enclos’d the Paper you desire. You will judge of the Propriety of Publishing it as it is, or what Alterations should be made in it. If there were any Liklihood of its being adopted, I could rather wish it were presented to the Ministry, provided their present Scheme of a Stamp Act might be laid aside. Verner W. Crane, Benjamin Franklin’s Letters...
2117Scheme for Supplying the Colonies with a Paper Currency, [11–12 February? 1765] (Franklin Papers)
Draft (first part only): American Philosophical Society; remainder reprinted from Thomas Pownall, The Administration of the Colonies (4th edition, London, 1768), pp. 243–53. When Franklin first heard that Grenville had proposed an act of parliament levying stamp duties on the colonies, he wrote Richard Jackson, June 25, 1764, that he thought he “could propose a better Mode by far, both for us...
2118Thomas Pownall and Benjamin Franklin to George Grenville, 12 February 1765 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library We have taken the Liberty to enclose and beg leave to submitt to your consideration a measure calculated for supplying the Colonies with a Paper Currency, become absolutely necessary to their Circumstances, by which Measure a certain and very considerable Revenue will arise to the crown. We are from our Experience and the having been employed in the Public Service...
2119From Benjamin Franklin to John Bartram, 14 February 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library I received your kind Letter of Decemr 19. Our Friend Peter is not dead, as you apprehended; but, Thanks to Heaven, as well as ever I knew him, hearty, brisk, and active as a Youth. I show’d him your Letter, and he told me he had wrote to you, and that you must have been long before this time put out of your Pain on his Account. I have order’d the Box of...
2120From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 14 February 1765 (I) (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Enclos’d is a Letter from Mrs. Stevenson, and Bill of Lading for a Chest of Goods sent you. The Pamphlets in it are to be sent up to Billy. There are some Books for Cousin Cuthbert, not all he wanted, but the rest will be sent as soon as they can be got. I wrote to you per Packet on Saturday. Love to dear Sally and all Friends. In great Haste, Your...
2121From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 14 February 1765 (II) (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By Capt. Robinson you will receive a Case Mrs. Stevenson has sent you, with the Blankets, Bed ticks, &c. you wrote for. No new China was to be had that would match the Cup and Saucer; but a Friend who has a Set at the same time with me, spar’d me the Remains of his, which are now sent. In the Case I return Mr. Thomas Wharton’s Woollen Gown, which he was so...
2122From Benjamin Franklin to David Hall, 14 February 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received your obliging Letter of Decemr. 20. with the Newspapers. I am glad to hear of Col. Bouquet’s Success, hope the deserting Hostages will be recover’d, and the Peace firmly establish’d. The French being now totally remov’d from North America, we may, I think, expect the Indians will be more manageable for the future. The Stamp Act,...
2123From Benjamin Franklin to John Ross, 14 February 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I received your obliging Favour of Dec. 20. and am glad to find, that tho’ so distant from them, I still live in the Remembrance of my Friends. We have been of late so much engag’d in our general American Affairs, that it was necessary to let what related particularly to our Province sleep a little for the present; but it is nevertheless working...
2124To Benjamin Franklin from Sir Alexander Dick, 19 February 1765 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Sir Alexander Dicks most affectionate, and freindly Compliments to Doctor Franklin. and heartily wishes him Joy, upon his safe arrival again in Britain. He seizes this hasty oppertunity, (which does not allow him time [to] write a Letter) of Mr. Alexanders going unexpectedly to London, to kiss the Doctor’s hands, by this note, and to acquaint him that if...
2125To Benjamin Franklin from Ezra Stiles, 20 February 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; draft: Yale University Library If I ask too great a favor of you to forward the inclosed Letter to the Sieur Lomonosow at Petersburg, I leave it intirely with you to suppress it. I have taken the Liberty, as you see, of asking an Answer thro’ your hands; if I make too free a use of your name and Friendship, you have it in your power to prevent the Abuse....
2126To Benjamin Franklin from Peter Franklin, 21 February 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote to you about the Begining of Jany. which gave Account of the weather and wind we Had from the Time of Youre Departure to that Time, Which was Fine and Very Pleasant, Hope you Injoyed the same. Sister and Dear Salley, with a Number of your Frends Lookd for advice From you By the December Packet. But as Youre Ship Had no Business to Touch at Falmouth...
2127To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Stockton, 23 February 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I came to this Town in Expectation of going [ torn ] in the Packet, but it’s very sudden Departure made [it impos]sible for me to be ready. I was favoured with several Letters from our Governour, which were sent me here yesterday by Express; and he put into my Care a large Packet as well as two Letters directed you, these I have got Mr. [Keller?] to pack up...
2128From Benjamin Franklin to William Robertson, 4 March 1765 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Yale University Library I rejoice to hear by my friend Mr. Strahan that you continue in Health and are now at the Head of the Edinburgh University. Before I leave Britain again I Promise myself the Happiness of once more seeing you and my other Friends in Scotland, having always retained a pleasing Remembrance of the time I spent in that Country, the ingenious and instructive...
2129To Benjamin Franklin from Isaac All, 12 March 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I with great pleasure Acknowlege the Receipt of your favour of the 3d. and am very glad to hear You have such late news from your family and friends at Philada. I hope their health will be continued and yourself soon restored never more to be seperated from them. I am much better then when I wrote you but have been Oblig’d since that time to undergo a Very...
2130To Benjamin Franklin from Cadwalader Evans, 15 March 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A Vessel from Ireland to New York brought us the most agreeable news of your safe arrival in London the 13th. of Decemr., which occassion’d as great and general a Joy in Pensylvania, among those, whose esteem an honest man woud value most, and as much to the confusion of the rest, as ever I saw; The Bells rang, on that Account till near midnight, Libations...