501From Benjamin Franklin to Humphry Marshall, 26 June 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Gray Herbarium, Harvard University I received and am obliged by your Favour of May 14, in which you express so fully your just Sentiments of the present Disputes between the two Countries, as to give me great Satisfaction. Here is at present great Enquiry after News from America: Our Friends wishing to hear of our Steadiness, and our Enemies fearing it: For if these their violent...
502From Benjamin Franklin to a Friend in England, 16 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Reprinted from William Temple Franklin, ed., Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin . . . (3 vols., 4to, London, 1817–18), II , 244–5. I wish you would assure our friend, that Dr. Franklin never gave any such expectations to Mr. Pultney. On the contrary, he told him that the Commissioners could not succeed in their mission, whether they went to recover the dependance or to...
503From Benjamin Franklin to Isaac Norris, [16] December 1760 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: American Philosophical Society Agreeable to what I wrote in mine of the 13th. I [have] ventur’d to agree by my Broker for the following [ torn ] Stocks, on Account of the Province, to be deliver’d [ torn ] Week from this Day, viz. £1000 of the 4 per Cent. Annuities 1760, at 92 per Cent. £[920: 0: 0] £1500 Do. at 91⅞ 137[8: 2:
504From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 2 December 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As good Dr. Hawkesworth calls you, to whom my best Respects. I got home well the 1st. of November, and had the Happiness to find my little Family perfectly well; and that Dr. Smith’s Reports of the Diminution of my Friends were all false. My House has been full of a Succession of them from Morning to Night ever since my Arrival, congratulating me on my...
505To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Franklin, 19 April 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have lately received your Favour of Dec. 23. The Diplomas I hope are got to hand before this time. I am much oblig’d by your taking care of my Encyclopedie. Mr. Hopkinson will account with you for it. I am glad to learn that every thing is quiet in Europe, and like to continue so. I hope the same will be the case here; tho’ Boutdefeus are not wanting among us, who by inflammatory Writings in...
506From Benjamin Franklin to Theophylact Bache, 3 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I am much oblig’d by your Favour of Dec. 10. with the 2 Barrels of Apples which prove excellent, and are a great Refreshment to me. Please to accept my Thanks, and best Wishes for your Prosperity. I thank you for your Kind Attention to Mr. Chysholme. I hope he will at last be fix’d to his Mind. Enclos’d is a Letter from your good Mother, which will...
507From Benjamin Franklin to Sargent Aufrere & Co., 14 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I beg Pardon for giving you any farther Trouble relating to the Colony Drafts. It is only to request you would be assured yourselves, and do me the Favour to inform Messrs. Barclays, that I had not the least Intention to subject you and them to the precarious Pleasure of the Proprietor or his Governor, for your Reimbursement, when I requested your...
508From Benjamin Franklin to Schweighauser, 5 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have before me your favour of March 20 & one of a Post preceding without date. Your Orders to Capt. Landais to finish his Refitt at Brest were good, if he could obtain Permission & Conveniencies there: But I have understood that it could not be, and he writes me of the 28 past, that he proposes sailing for Nantes in 8 Days. I approve much of the Orders you have...
509From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Price, 28 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Inclos’d I send you Dr. Priestly’s last Letter, of which a Part is for you, he says, but the whole seems as proper for you as for me. I did not advise him pro or con , but only explain’d to him my Method of Judging for my self in doubtful Cases, by what I called Prudential Algebra . If he had come to town, and preach’d here some times, I fancy Sir John P....
510From Benjamin Franklin to Catharine Greene, 28 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Don’t be offended at the Word old; I don’t mean to call you an old Woman; it relates only to the age of our Friendship; which on my part has always been a sincerely affectionate one, and I flatter myself the same on yours. I receivd your kind Letter from Boston of Oct. 28. which gave me great Pleasure, as it inform’d me of the Welfare of you and your...
511From Benjamin Franklin to Marat, 25 February 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Früher Preussische Staatsbibliothek, Berlin I shall endeavour to be with you by Ten a Clock in the Morning on Monday next, having a great Desire to see your Experiments. I hope nothing will happen to prevent me, and that the Weather will be good. With great Regard I have the honour to be Sir Your most obedient humble Servant See Marat’s...
512From Benjamin Franklin to Vergennes, 3 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministere des affaires étrangères; transcript: National Archives I have the Honour to transmit to your Excellency by Order of Congress a Resolution of theirs, dated the 11th. of May last, which is in the Words following, Viz, “Resolved, That Doctor Franklin be instructed to express to the Court of France the constant Desire of Congress to meet their Wishes; That these States...
513From Benjamin Franklin to Anthony Wayne, 28 August 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I have received two of your Favours, which were immediately communicated to the Board of War, who are a Committee of Congress appointed to take Care of every thing in that Department, and who will I make no doubt take the necessary Measures for supplying your Wants. But as America is new in the Business of Providing for Armies, there must be for a time...
514To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 20 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
I am just arrived from a Country, where the Reputation of General Washington runs very high, and where every body wishes to see him in Person, but being told that it is not likely he will ever favour them with a Visit, they hope at least for a Sight of his perfect Resemblance by means of their Principal Statuary Mr Houdon, whom Mr Jefferson and my self agreed with to come over for the purpose...
515From Benjamin Franklin to James Hutton, 12 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; ALS (draft): Library of Congress; copy and transcript: Library of Congress I wrote the above some Time before I receiv’d yours, acquainting me with your speedy and safe Return, which gave me Pleasure. I doubted after I had written it, whether it would be well to send it. For as your proud Nation despises us exceedingly, and demands and...
516From Benjamin Franklin to the Trustees of the Loan Office, 16 January 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Historical Society of Pennsylvania In mine of the 14th. Instant, which I sent away by the same Night’s Post, in hopes it would reach the Pacquet at Falmouth, I inform’d you, that I had been disappointed in my Expectations of the remaining Bills being paid by Messrs. Sargent, Aufrere and the Barclays. But this Day, in answer of my last to them, of which I sent you a Copy, I...
517From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 2 October 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I wrote largely to you to go per Robinson, but Mr. Evans by whom I sent the Packet, was left behind: he will however deliver it to you with this. I sent you several Things in Robinson, of which that Letter will give you an Account. I am well, and as ever, Your affectionate Husband P S. In Mr. Evans’s Care I now send you a very handsome Pair of Tongs, and...
518From Benjamin Franklin to Anne-Louise Boivin d’Hardancourt Brillon de Jouy, 10 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Dites moi, ma chere Amie, de vos nouvelles. Vôtre Saignée, l’a-t-il reussi de vous soulager? Croyez vous que nous pouvons esperer d’avoir la Felicité de vous voir ici, avec les cheres enfants, Mercredi prochaine, aprés midi, pour prendre le Thé chez nous? Nous aurons les Mesdemoiselles Alexander, qui seront charmées de vous rencontrer. Je prierai aussi vos...
519From Benjamin Franklin to the Committee of Secret Correspondence, 8[–10] December 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: National Archives After a short but rough Passage of 30 Days we anchor’d in Quiberon Bay, the Wind not suiting to enter the Loire. Capt. Wicks did every thing in his Power to make the Voyage comfortable to me; and I was much pleas’d with what I saw of his Conduct as an Officer, when on suppos’d Occasions we made Preparation for Engagement, the good Order and Readiness with which...
520From Benjamin Franklin to Henry Bouquet, 14 April 1757 (Franklin Papers)
Draft: American Philosophical Society I thank you for the Letter you have favour’d me with to Professor Koenig. I shall take care to deliver the other to Monsr. Guinand, if I reach London. I regret much, that thro’ your Business and mine, I could enjoy so little of your Conversation at Philadelphia. How happy are the Folks in Heaven, who, ’tis said, have nothing to do, but to talk with one...
521From Benjamin Franklin to Rolandeau, 4 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I can no otherwise give an Order for your Passage gratis, than by giving an Order to our Correspondent to pay the Money for you on my Account, which seems too much to be reasonably expected of me. And as you left the Service of the States in America without Leave, to come home upon your own private Affairs, it seems right that you should be at the whole...
522From Benjamin Franklin to ——— Yarnold, 27 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yesterday yours of the 25th. On your Arrival here, when you first mentioned to me your purpose. I gave to you and your friend my candid Opinion that your scheme of becoming military Officers in America could not Answer your Expectation, and I advis’d you to return to England and apply your selves to some Profession more likely to be advantangeous. I wish...
523From Benjamin Franklin to Ferdinand Grand, 5 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
L : American Philosophical Society Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments to M. Grand & will send the two Copies required tomorrow Morning. He understands well that he is to receive nothing till the Advances there are Ascertained: And it is for that Reason, that he has required the Receipts to be sent him. But as the Bills expected are mostly of three Usances, will be drawn gradually, and will...
524From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, [2 March 1750] (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from The Gentleman’s Magazine , XX (1750), 208. I was very much pleased with some ingenious papers in the late Transactions on the subject of electricity. There is something however in the experiments of points, sending off, or drawing on, the electrical fire, which has not been fully explained, and which I intend to supply in my next. For the doctrine of points is very...
525From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Sr., 27 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Jewish Historical Society, New York City I was glad to understand by yours of March 29. that you and your Family continued in good Health and Spirits. You and your Country are engag’d in a good Cause, which God will finally crown with Success. Let nothing discourage you. Your Son John remains at Nantes. His Brother will probably find some Business there for him. I suppose he...
526From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 19 March 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library Dining to day with Mr. Potts, I hear that Letters go by this Night’s Post to Falmouth for the Chance of reaching the Packet. Therefore I write this Line just to say, that I receiv’d yesterday a Line from the Treasury acquainting me that Mr. Kollock is appointed upon my Recommendation to be Collector of Lewes. I shall be more particular in my next. Your...
527From Benjamin Franklin to ———, 10 February 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Henry E. Huntington Library In Compliance with your Request I this Morning applied to a Virginia Merchant for Information, Whether the Courts of Virginia are now shut? and if so, from what Causes? particularly whether from any Resolutions of the People there to avoid Payment of their English Debts, as you told me had been insinuated by a Person in Administration. Inclos’d I send you the...
528From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 31 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have received yours of the 26th. I am promised an Answer from Mr. Paulze this Morning and If I receive it shall send it to you by tomourrow’s Post. This Soliciting of Interested People to forgive Duties they think their Right, is an odious Task to me. I had rather at any time, If I could afford it, pay ’em myself. Mr. Chaumont thinks Mr. Bondfield’s Propositions too...
529From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 13 November 1756 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; reprinted from William Duane, ed., The Works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin , VI (Philadelphia, 1817), 14. I wrote to you a few days since, by a special messenger, and inclosed letters, for all our wives and sweethearts; expecting to hear from you by his return, and to have the northern newspapers and English letters, per the packet; but he is just now returned without a scrap for poor...
530From Benjamin Franklin to Clifford & Teysset, 8 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me the 31st. past, and I immediately apply’d to M. de Chaumont, representing to him the ill Consequences that must attend the Return of those Bills to America protested. He took the Matter into Consideration, and it is but this Instant that I have received his Answer, which I inclose. As I think with you...
531To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Todd, with Franklin’s Note for a Reply, 3 October 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania This very morning I had the Pleasure to receive Your Letter of the 27th. past inclosing one for the President of Congress, which was so exactly in Time that I forwarded it along with Lord Norths Dispatches this Evening to Falmouth with Orders for the three several Packet Boats for New York Jamaica and the Lewards Islands to sail immediately. These Boats...
532From Benjamin Franklin to Sarah Davenport, [June 1730?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your kind and affectionate Letter of May the 15th, was extreamly agreeable to me; and the more so, because I had not for two Years before, receiv’d a Line from any Relation, my Father and Mother only excepted. I am glad to hear your Family are got well thro’ the Small Pox, and that you have your Health continu’d to you. I sold your Husbands Watches for...
533From Benjamin Franklin to Madame Brillon, 17 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL and AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Je vous renvoye, ma très chere Amie, puisque vous voulez absolument le ravoir, le Brouillon de vôtre jolie Fable. J’avois la Pensée, qu’en vous offrant une plus belle Edition (que vôtre Ouvrage meritoit bien) sans Ratures & Interlineations, je pouvois vous gagner à me permettre de retenir l’Original; ce que je desirois, parceque j’aime tout ce...
534From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 4 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 14 & 21. past. I communicated to M. De Chaumont what you say in your last relating to your attending the Arrival of our Friend. Inform him as soon as you see him, that he is in Holland to follow the Orders he will receive from the g. Factor . We have just heard something of him that gives every body here abundant Satisfaction. As I have...
535From Benjamin Franklin to Rawlins Lowndes, [12 June 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received by Commodore Gillon the Letter your Excellency directed to The Commissioners at this Court; Dated the 18th of July last. It would have been a great Pleasure to me If I could have been of Service in enabling him to obtain a Loan here for the accomplishing the purposes of his Voyage hither; But the great Sums wanted by the Governement here, and the high...
536From Benjamin Franklin to Ingenhousz, 24 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I am greatly indebted to you for Letters. I shall write largely to you soon. With this I send you some American Papers, more Letters to Sir Jos. Banks, A Letter to Mr Nairne on Thermometers, & some Catalogues of Seeds.— I have sent the Order to America for Seeds which your Friend desired, but I fear the Vessel I sent it by is lost, not being arriv’d the 6th of...
537From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 22 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I have not had time to look over the Remarks sent me on Parker’s Account, but shall do it shortly. I am glad you received the Box safe that went by Loxley. I do not wonder that Dry Goods are at present as you say a miserable Concern. After the Non Importation Agreement ended, People crowded in their Goods expecting a lively Demand, and it...
538From Benjamin Franklin to John Hunter, 9 October 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress I am extreamly concern’d at the News of the Death of my dear Friend Mr. Hunter, with whom I had so long liv’d and transacted Business with the most perfect Harmony. It was the more surprizing to me, as his last Letters mention’d an entire Freedom from his old Complaints, and a perfect Establishment of his Health. His Death is not only a Loss to his Friends; I think it...
539From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 12 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: Library of Congress Having concluded to provide for the Payment of the Bills drawn on Mr. Laurens in favour of Mr Ross, which were presented to you last Year, this is to request that you would examine and accept the said Bills, and keep an Account of them. I have ordered Money into the Hands of Messrs Fizeaux and Grand for the Payment of those that...
540From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Bache, 25 July 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I wrote to you per Capt. Osborne, and have little to add, but that I had yesterday a Line from Preston expressing their Joy on the News I had communicated to them of their new Relation, that they were all well, and should write to you in a few Days via Liverpoole. This will be delivered to you by Messrs. John Hewson and Nathaniel Norgrove, who are...
541From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 19 June 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We are thus far on our Way to Boston, and hope to be there in about three Weeks. I purpose to lodge at your House if you can conveniently receive me. Sally is now with her Brother at Amboy, and will be here in a few Days. If I can well do it, I shall bring her with me; and if you cannot accommodate us both, one of us may lodge at Cousin Williams’s; on...
542From Benjamin Franklin to Sir Charles William Blunt, 9 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favour by Mr. Luard and I am obliged to you for introducing me to the acquaintance of So agreable a Man. He has settled his affairs here, as I understand, to his satisfaction.— My services were not necessary this Court being well disposed to do what was requested. You may be assured however, that I did him no Injury.— You gave me great Pleasure in the...
543From Benjamin Franklin to Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg, 28 July 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Extract reprinted from The American Museum, or, Universal Magazine , VIII (July, 1790), 120. I greatly approve the epithet, which you give in your letter of the 8th of June, to the new method of treating the small-pox, which you call the tonic or bracing method. I will take occasion from it, to mention a practice to which I have accustomed myself. You know the cold bath has long been in vogue...
544From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 18 April 1754 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Pierpont Morgan Library; also duplicate: New York Public Library By Capt. Gibbon I received a Copy of yours per the Myrtylla, but she is not yet arrived. I am glad to hear the Bills I sent you for £100 Sterling are accepted, and that the Goods were to be shipt soon for Connecticut. Bryant is arrived at New York, who left London the Middle of March; I have not heard whether he has brought...
545From Benjamin Franklin to J.-B. Marioge, 23 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Press copy of LS : American Philosophical Society J’ai reçu, Monsieur, la Lettre dont vous m’avez honoré le 16 du mois dernier. Je n’ai Jamais été chargé de faire passer personne en Amérique pour y établir des manufactures. Le Pays est ouvert a tout le monde et le Congres ne cherche point à y attirer les Etrangers par des avantages particuliers. Chargé d’une Famille et à l’âge où vous étez,...
546From Benjamin Franklin to James Logan, 3 April 1748 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Riverdale Country School, New York City I have a Letter from Mr. Samuel Lawrence of New York, (who undertook to ship the Guns for us) informing, that two small Vessels had been agreed with to bring them round; but a Sloop arriving there on Sunday last that had been chas’d in Lat. 35. by a Ship and Brigt. [brigantine] that were suppos’d to be Don Pedro with a Consort coming on this Coast,...
547From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph-Mathias Gérard de Rayneval, 10 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress The enclos’d Letter from Marseilles is written by Mr. Mason, a Gentleman of Virginia, who was warmly recommended to me as a very worthy Man, by the Governor & several other Persons of Note in that Country. He has been advis’d by his Physicians to spend the Winter in the South of France, and he chuses...
548From Benjamin Franklin to Dumas, 18 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly yours of the 3 inst. My Indisposition seems to be wearing off; and I hope will permit me to go abroad in a few Days. Mr. Neufville’s first Propositions were so much out of the Way, that I could not accept them. He required a fifth Part of the Loan to be sent over to him annually during the first 5 years in the Produce of America for Sale, & the Money...
549From Benjamin Franklin to Horace-Bénédict de Saussure, 23 August 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Bibliothèque de Genève Reflecting with Pleasure on the agreable and instructive Conversation you favour’d me with, when I had the Happiness of seeing you in London, I embrace this Opportunity of recalling myself to your Remembrance, & of requesting your Acceptance of a Copy of the American Constitutions. With great and sincere Esteem I have the honour to be Sir, Your most obedient and...
550From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Peters, [30 April 1754?] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania It was late in the Evening when I came home last Night, or I should have sent you Mr. Smith’s Letters, concerning which I shall be glad to talk with you when you have a little Leisure. If you are at liberty to dine where you please to day, I shall be glad of your Company; my Dame being from home, and I quite Master of the House. Your humble Servant...