51From Benjamin Franklin to Peter Collinson, 19 December 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I am but lately return’d from my Tour of these Northern Colonies, having been from the Southernmost Part of Virginia to the easternmost Part of New England. I think I wrote you from Boston that I had by a Fall dislocated my right Arm at the Shoulder Joint; it is now pretty well recovered, tho’ not quite so strong as before. Your obliging Favours of June 8, and 28;...
52The State of the Trade with the West Indies, 3–6 December 1768 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The London Chronicle , December 3–6, 1768 In a Letter of mine, which you inserted in your Paper of Nov. 3, was contained a view of the state of our commerce with the American continent colonies. I now send you a view of our commerce with the West India or Sugar Islands, taken, as the former was, from the Custom House accounts. When your Readers have compared and considered these...
53From Benjamin Franklin to William Cooper, 9 March 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: New York Public Library; ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I received duly your Favour of Dec. 8. with a Copy for myself of the Proceedings of your Town Meeting, for which please to present my respectful Thanks to the Committee. I received also a Number more for different Persons, here, which I immediately deliver’d as directed. I have also reprinted the Pamphlet to...
54From Benjamin Franklin to Mary Stevenson, 10 May 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received this Morning my dear Polley’s kind Present of two Tickets for the Latin Play at Hackney, enclos’d in her agreable little Letter of the 8th. for both which she will please to accept my Thanks. I am oblig’d also to Mrs. Tickell and to her for the kind Invitation of Dining on the Day of the Play. But I think we are engag’d for that Day to Dine at...
55Presentment of the Philadelphia Grand Jury, 3 January 1745 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Historical Society of Pennsylvania To the Worshipful the Mayor, the Recorder and the rest of the Justices of the City of Philadelphia. The Grand Jury of the said City, met at the present Sessions, do, in Compliance with the Direction of the Court, [make] the following particular Presentments of unlawful Bakehouses, Coopers Shops, Disorderly Houses, &c. but believing from the Reprimand...
56From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Jackson, 24 December 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since my last of the 19th Inst. which went per Budden, our Assembly have voted a Compliance with General Amherst’s Requisition of 1000 Men from this Province, to act offensively in the Spring against the Indians. This is the more remarkable, as this Province us’d to be reckon’d backward in such Measures, and New York and the Jersies, have just set us but an...
57Scheme of the Second Academy Lottery, 11 March 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , March 11, 1755. Before their lottery for 3000 pieces of eight (see above, p. 435) was drawn, the trustees of the Academy of Philadelphia, encouraged by the approval of a charter making their institution a college (issued on May 14), announced a second lottery, to raise 9375 pieces of eight for maintenance, scientific apparatus, and endowment of salaries....
58From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Kames, 1–16 January 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Scottish Record Office It is always a great Pleasure to me to hear from you, and would be a much greater to be with you, to converse with you on the Subjects you mention, or any other. Possibly I may yet one day enjoy that Pleasure. In the meantime we may use the Privilege that the Knowledge of Letters affords us, of conversing at a distance by the Pen. I am glad to find you are turning...
59From Benjamin Franklin to Smith, Wright and Gray, 13 July 1765 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Boston Public Library Inclos’d I send you three Bills of Exchange, White on Bacon, for Five Hundred Pounds Sterling. They are different Bills, tho’ on the same Paper. Please to present them for Acceptance—and enter them in my Book. Send me per Mrs. Stevenson the Bearer Thirty Guineas, of which two in Silver. I am, Your most obedient humble Servant Addressed: To / Messrs Wright Smith &...
60From Benjamin Franklin to Anthony Todd, 2 September 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office We have just receiv’d some important News from Presqu’isle on Lake Erie, which it is my Duty to take this first Opportunity of communicating thro’ you to his Majesty’s Postmaster General. The Public Papers, before this can come to hand, will have inform’d you, that Sir William Johnson had held a Treaty at Niagara, and concluded a Peace with all the Indian Nations or...
61From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 10 June 1756 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We wrote to you per Capt. Morton who sailed yesterday, and sent you a few Things that may be of some Use perhaps in your Family. I hope, tho’ not of much Value, they will be acceptable. Inclos’d is an Account of Particulars, and the Captain’s Receipt, with the Key of the Trunk. Our Family is well. The Small Pox is beginning in Town by Inoculation, but has...
62From Benjamin Franklin to Humphry Marshall, 18 March 1770 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I was duly favoured with yours of Oct. 30, and glad to hear that some of the Colours on Experience were found useful. I show’d the Specimens you sent me to an ingenious skilful French Chemist, who has the Direction of the Royal Porcellane Manufacture at Seve near Paris, and he assured me that one of those white Earths would make a good Ingredient in that kind of...
63From Benjamin Franklin to John Huske, 6 September 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I have deferred Writing to you agreable to the Caution you gave me, till this safe Opportunity offered. America is infinitely oblig’d to you for your continual good Wishes and Schemes for her Advantage: But I am sorry to tell you that she is here become an Object of Jealousy, and that the obtaining Money from our poor Treasury to forward...
64From Benjamin Franklin to Lord Dartmouth, 21 August 1773 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in a broadside, Proceedings of His Majesty’s Privy-Council on the Address of the Assembly of Massachusetts-Bay, to Remove His Governor and Lieutenant-Governor … [Boston, 1774]: Massachusetts Historical Society. I have just received from the House of Representatives of the Massachusett’s-Bay, their Address to the King, which I now enclose, and send to your Lordship, with my humble...
65From Benjamin Franklin to a Committee of the Managers of the Philadelphia Silk Filature, 18 February 1774 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I am favour’d with yours of Nov. 19. advising of your Draft for £210 10 s. 5 d. which is accepted and will be duly paid. I am happy to find that my small Services have been acceptable to the Society. With my best Wishes for the Success of your laudable Undertaking, and great Esteem for your Selves, I am, Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble...
66From Benjamin Franklin to Francis Bernard, 21 February 1764 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I ought sooner to have answered yours of the 23d past, but the dangerous Riots and Tumults we have lately had here, took up all our Attention. I hope Mr. Bernard is well with you before this Time. As our Navigation was stopt by the Ice, and it was uncertain when our River would be open, and a good Vessel offer for Boston, I thought it might be best for...
67From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Jackson, 22 September 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society As I write in pain with a lately dislocated Arm, I can do little more than acknowledge the Receipt of you several Favours of Apr. 7. May 19. and June 18. all which I shall answer more fully when I get home, where I hope to be in about three Weeks; at the Meeting of our new Assembly; when I shall procure the Change you desire to be made in the Vote of...
68From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Galloway, 18 February 1774 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Clements Library; ALS (letterbook draft): American Philosophical Society I received your Favour of Nov. 10, inclosing a Bill of Exchange, Willing & Morris, on Errecart DelRio & Co. for £400. and am much obliged by your kind Care in forwarding it. The Acts of Feby. Session 1773, are at last presented, of which I have lately acquainted the Committee. They are now before the Board of Trade....
69From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 12 April 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Calling here just now, I find a Bag not taken away, and as my Letters are gone or going, part by the Ships now at Portsmouth and part per Packet to be dispatch’d on Saturday, I write this Line to let you know we are well, and that you may not be uneasy at not having one Letter by this Ship. Now I think on’t; there was a Trunk sent last year by the...
70From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 3 March 1761 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have wrote to you and [to] my Friends per Capt. Hammet. [My] Letters are in a little Box directed for you. There are also in the Box two Books to be delivered to Mr. Coleman. Hearing that another Vessel is [to] sail about the Same time, I write [this] by her, just to let you know [that we] are well, and have wrote fully as above. My Love to all. I am,...
71From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, 2 June 1773 (Franklin Papers)
AL (copy ): Public Record Office; ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress Since my last, which was of the 6th past, I have been honour’d with yours of March 6. and 24. inclosing a Petition to the King, and a Letter to Lord Dartmouth. On considering the whole, I concluded that a longer Delay of presenting the first Petition and Remonstrance was not likely to answer any good Purpose, and...
72From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 21 February 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have now the Pleasure of acquainting you that my Son and Daughter are safely arriv’d at my House, and both very well. They present their Duty to Brother Mecom and you. He sets out for his Government on Wednesday. I am greatly to blame for not sending the enclos’d sooner. It was wrote by your Sister several Weeks since, and given to me to be forwarded. I...
73From Benjamin Franklin to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, April 1759 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Public Record Office, London Pursuant to William Pitt’s promises, conveyed to the colonial governors in letters of Dec. 30, 1757, and Dec. 9, 1758, that Parliament would be urged “to grant a proper Consideration” to those colonies which had vigorously supported the war effort against France (above, p. 291 n), the chancellor of the Exchequer laid before the House of Commons, April 26,...
74Statement of Editorial Policy, 24 July 1740 (Franklin Papers)
Printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette , July 24, 1740. George Whitefield’s doctrine and eloquence had sensational effects throughout the colonies. One of those who resisted him, strongly disapproving his excessive religious emotionalism, was Ebenezer Kinnersley, a Baptist lay preacher in Philadelphia. In a sermon on July 6, 1740, Kinnersley expressed abhorrence of “Enthusiastick Ravings ... that...
75From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Cooper, 4 June 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : British Museum; letterbook draft: Library of Congress I can now only acknowledge the Receipt of your much esteem’d Favours of March 15 and Apr. 23. which gave me great Satisfaction. By the next Opportunity I purpose to write to you fully, and among other Things give you my Thoughts on the Warming of your Meeting-house. I send you a french Pamphlet containing some liberal Sentiments on...
76From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 26 February 1763 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society; draft (incomplete): American Philosophical Society Your Favour of the 14th. Instant, I met on the Road in my Journey to this Place with my Son, who joins with me in Thanks for your good Wishes relating to his Administration here. I thank you also for your kind Endeavours in obtaining the Discharge of William Forrester, who is accordingly discharged. I condole...
77From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Leech and Assembly Committee of Correspondence, 10 June 1758 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; draft (incomplete): American Philosophical Society In mine of May 13. I gave you a particular Account of the Hearing before the Attorney and Sollicitor General, on a Reference of Smith’s Petition; they have not yet made their Report, and would now I hear excuse themselves from doing it, as unnecessary, since they have heard that the Prisoners are discharged. But...
78From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 6 December 1753 (Franklin Papers)
Letter: ALS : New-York Historical Socity; enclosure: draft: American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your Favour of the 29th past, with some Remarks on my meteorological Paper, for which I thank you, and return some Observations on those Remarks, hoping by this Friendly Intercourse of Sentiments and Objections, some Advantage will arise to the Increase of true Knowledge. I sent you our Treaty...
79From Benjamin Franklin to Israel Pemberton, 10 June 1758 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Princeton University Library I receiv’d your Favour of the 16th. of March but a few days since, which is the first I have had, except a Copy of the Enquiry that came to hand some time ago, but without a Letter, so that I did not know who sent it. I think it well drawn up; and since there seems to be no farther Hopes of accommodating Matters with the Proprietaries, I see no reason to...
80From Benjamin Franklin to Richard Jackson, 7 October 1755 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I receiv’d your Favour of the 17th June per Mr. Winslow, with a Paper inclos’d, that has given me very great Pleasure. I thank you for it sincerely, which is all I can now do, being just setting out on a Journey to Virginia. I fear I cannot at present be impartial enough to give you a just State of our Provincial Disputes. I am perhaps too much engag’d in...
81From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 28 August 1767 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library I have staid too long in London this Summer, and now sensibly feel the Want of my usual Journey to preserve my Health. Therefore I this Morning am to set for a Trip to Paris. Sir John Pringle, the Queen’s Physician, goes with me. He has Leave for Six Weeks only, her Majesty being again pregnant. I shall write to you from thence. I receiv’d yours by Sir John...
82From Benjamin Franklin to Joseph Priestley, 4 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society I think with you that there cannot be the least Occasion for my explaining your Method of impregnating Water with fix’d Air to Messrs. Banks and Solander, as they were present and I suppose are as well acquainted with it as my self; however I shall readily do it if they think it necessary. I am glad you intend to improve and publish the Process. You...
83From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 17 July 1757 (Franklin Papers)
MS not found; extract reprinted from WTF, Memoirs , I , 133 n. The bell ringing for church, we went thither immediately, and with hearts full of gratitude, returned sincere thanks to God for the mercies we had received: were I a Roman Catholic, perhaps I should on this occasion vow to build a chapel to some saint; but as I am not, if I were to vow at all, it should be to build a lighthouse ....
84From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, 2 December 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and incomplete copy: Public Record Office; letterbook draft: Library of Congress The interview described in the first part of this letter involved Franklin further in the developing crisis in Massachusetts, and the enclosure he described in the second part inflamed that crisis and deeply affected the remainder of his English mission. The importance of the letter is obvious, and so are the...
85From Benjamin Franklin to [Elizabeth Hubbart?], [16 October? 1755] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (fragment): American Philosophical Society [ Missing ] Altar, to be an Anvill; the two Hearts, Yours and Katy’s. And when they are welded together and made one, let that same Cupid fly with it to Your very affectionate PS Mrs. Franklin happens to see this Letter before I close it, and tells me I have not rightly interpreted the Seal. She agrees that the two Hearts on the Altar represent...
86From Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 1 September 1752 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This is only to enclose a second Bill for £20 Sterling, drawn on Alexr Grant Esqr per Mrs. Mary Stevens. I am, Yours affectionately See above, p. 339.
87From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 5 May 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received your kind Letter of March 2. and am glad to hear that the Ship from Ireland is got safe into Antigua. I hope you will now get the little Token I sent you from thence. I have not receiv’d the Letter you mention to have given the young Scotsman, nor that from Mr. Craige. I am sorry for the Disorder that has fallen on our Friend Kinnersley, but hope...
88State of the Transaction at the Exchequer, 4 November 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ADS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania State of the Transaction at the Exchequer, relating to the Parliamentary Grant for the Year 1758 The Sum given to Pennsylvania and the Lower Counties jointly, for their 2727 Men, is £29,993 0 0 By General Abercrombie’s Report, there were of these effective Men in the Field, From Pennsylvania 2446 From Lower Counties 281 2727 Therefore the Proportion to...
89From Benjamin Franklin to William Deane, 11 April 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society Miss Martin that was, now Mrs. Blacker, being about to return to Dublin, I cannot omit the Opportunity it gives me of chatting a [little] with one, whose Conversation afforded me so much pleasure and Instruction while I was there. I know of nothing new here, worth communicating to you, unless perhaps the new Art of making Ca[rriage] W[heels,] the...
90From Benjamin Franklin to William Franklin, 2 December 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I have received yours of Oct. 4. 8. and 13. I cannot imagine what became of my Letter of Augt. 3. from May Place. It was however of no great Importance. Mr. Denormandie is gone this Day to Geneva. I gave him a Letter of Recommendation to a Friend there. I am persuaded that your Packets were not open’d at the Office; for tho’ a Secretary of State has...
91From Benjamin Franklin to Cadwallader Colden, 10 July 1746 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New-York Historical Society I have your Favours of June 2d. and the 7th Instant. I thank you for your little Treatise. I have interleav’d it, and am Reading it and Making Remarks as Time permits. I deliver’d one, as you directed, to Mr. Evans; another to Mr. Bertram. The former declares he cannot understand it; the latter told me the other Day, that he could not read it with the...
92From Benjamin Franklin to John Ellis, 26 December 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Linnean Society, London I return the Book you were so kind to favour me with. Upon Consideration, tho’ I wish to do any thing you can be desirous I should do, I find it impossible for me to write any thing worth reading on a Subject that will be exhausted by Dr. Fothergill and yourself, who are both so much better acquainted with it. I am ever, with the greatest Respect and Esteem, Dear...
93From Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Cushing, 1 June 1774 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Public Record Office; draft: American Philosophical Society I received your respected Favour of March 31. with another of the same Date from the Committee. The latest of my Letters which had then come to your Hands was of Jany. 7. since which I have written several, viz. of Feb. 2 to yourself, and one of the same Date to the Committee. Of Feb. 15. containing a full Account of the...
94From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 13 January 1772 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I received yours of Sept. [ blank ] and Nov. 4. It gave me great Pleasure to hear of your safe Arrival and Entring on Business with such Appearance of Success. I wish you every kind of Prosperity. Agreable to your Request after making a rough Sketch of the Account which I now send to your Father, I paid the Ballance appearing in my Hands £83 3 s. 9½ d. to...
95From Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Williams, 25 November 1762 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Mrs. George S. Maywood, Garden City, N.Y. (1955) I thank you for your kind Congratulations on my Arrival and the Promotion of my Son. I am in hopes I shall be able to see Boston the next Spring, and to have the Pleasure of finding you and my other Friends well. I congratulate you on your having such a Number of Sons. You remember the Blessing on him that has his Quiver full of them. My...
96Receipt to Sarah Read, 21 October 1746 (Franklin Papers)
MS Receipt Book: American Philosophical Society Among Franklin’s papers in the American Philosophical Society is a receipt book of his mother-in-law, containing 27 receipts between 1715 and 1760, most of them between 1733 and 1747. Payments are recorded to William Rakestraw for carpentry, to Samuel Alford for making a silver spoon, to Anthony Nicholas “for Iron work Done too pump & Seller...
97From Benjamin Franklin to John Winthrop, 11 March 1769 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society At length after much Delay and Difficulty I have been able to obtain your Telescope that was made by Mr. Short before his Death. His Brother, who succeeds in the Business, has fitted it up and compleated it. He has followed the Business many Years at Edinburgh, is reckon’d very able, and therefore I hope every thing will be found right; but as it is only...
98Remarks on Agriculture and Manufacturing, [late 1771?] (Franklin Papers)
AD : Yale University Library These comments, although they have been assigned to an earlier date, were in fact upon a chapter in the anonymous Considerations on the Policy, Commerce and Circumstances of the Kingdom (London, 1771). In that chapter the author argues that agriculture and the trade in provisions to which it gives rise have never materially enriched a country and never will. This...
99From Benjamin Franklin to Sir Alexander Dick, 3 January 1760 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : New York Public Library After we took leave of you, we spent some Weeks in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and at length arriv’d at our House here in good Health, having made a Tour of near 1500 Miles, in which we had enjoy’d a great deal of Pleasure, and receiv’d a great deal of useful Information. But no part of our Journey affords us, on Recollection, a more pleasing Remembrance, than...
100From Benjamin Franklin to Alexander Colden, 2 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (letterbook draft): Library of Congress I receiv’d yours of Dec. 2. enclosing a Bill Hancock on Haley & Hopkins for £150 for Account of the Gen. Post-Office. Inclos’d I return you the Bill, Dunn on Long, Drake and Long, for £100 Sterling, with the Protest which costs 5 s. 9 d. I hope you are careful to give me Credit for these Protested Bills. I sent you two per last Packet, and one by...